The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne blinked, not a hint of hesitation in her eyes as she leaned in and captured those plush, ruby lips with her own.

It did not matter how many kisses it took.

To score a kiss from Mr. Wolf and savor a slice of strawberry shortcake—what could be better?

This was a win-win if there ever was one!

Back in the car, their personal driver, Leopold, and the ever-watchful bodyguard, Anna, seemed to materialize from thin air, taking their respective places without a word.

Vivienne indulged in her shortcake blissfully while Percival contentedly watched her enjoy every bite.

The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

Leopold glanced at them through the rear-view mirror and lowered the privacy screen discreetly.

Out of sight, out of mind!

After finishing her dessert, Vivienne peered through a gap in the curtain at Anna and inquired, “What’s up with Husky again?”

“Samoyed isn’t answering her phone,” Anna said dryly, propping herself against the car window.

Caught between the two couples day in, day out—it was downright exhausting!

She should have joined Thomas in handling the Ashford family factory affairs.

Vivienne knew all too well that ever since Griffin had gotten her hands on that new bomb prototype, she had vanished into her lab, immersing herself in work mode with no time for romantic distractions.

Work and love—she kept them separate with precision.

“Are we heading back to Rivenwood now? Does Griffin know?” Percival asked.

Leopold pulled the car over, lifted the screen with due solemnity, and declared, “Percival, you’re right. We need to inform her posthaste. Let’s go!”

Anna casually interjected, “Thomas said Griffin told us to head back first. She’ll catch up after wrapping up her research. Oh, and she’ll be bringing Thomas with her.”

Though the Ashford family factory issue had been resolved, GTO’s virus research base in Sea City remained a loose end.

under the guise

would handle headquarters affairs in

drew the curtain again, wrapping

her gaze to the scenery

this is nice,” She

Leopold clenched his jaw.

going

Thomas again!

traitor had been in touch with Griffin behind

you wait!” He

the accelerator, channeling all his frustration as if the pedal were Thomas’s

had not noticed how close Thomas

up at

to give

She knew it!

fingerprints

Without a little crisis, Leopold would never learn

phone buzzed, showing a map with a

it as a tip from Quincy about a GTO stronghold in

forwarded the map to Thomas, telling him to back

she received was unexpected. It was

cryptic message

burst open, and in walked a pair of red stilettos. The owner sat across from Quincy, legs crossed like a

factory location? Have you figured it out?”

her breath and looked up, unable

to open her eyes fully, she gasped. “I don’t know…

moment, Quincy’s vision cleared enough

It was Vivienne!

you… Why are you here?” Quincy stumbled backward in

Vivienne. Vivienne could not

pointed it at the woman. “Why are you here?

should call you Barnaby; why so agitated? I came after receiving your message. Don’t you

the gun tightly, her finger on the trigger without hesitation. A gunshot rang out, but sudden pain shot through her hand, sending the gun clattering

name doesn’t make you trustworthy. Who