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.

the guise of guarding the

handle headquarters affairs in

drew the curtain again, wrapping an arm around Vivienne as they drove

her gaze to the

this is nice,”

Leopold clenched his jaw.

was going

Thomas again!

traitor had been in touch with Griffin behind

you wait!” He cursed

frustration as if the

help but muse—she had not noticed how close Thomas

up at

whispering, “We’ve got to give

She knew it!

had his fingerprints

the best. Without a little crisis, Leopold

buzzed, showing a map

a tip from Quincy about a GTO stronghold

the map to Thomas, telling him to

It was not from

cryptic message

in walked a pair of red stilettos. The owner sat across from Quincy, legs crossed like a fashion model, tapping her foot on

location? Have you figured it out?” The woman

looked up, unable to see the woman’s

her eyes fully, she gasped. “I don’t know… I only found out that Percival has been tracking

Quincy’s vision cleared enough to recognize the

It was Vivienne!

you… Why are you here?” Quincy stumbled

person could not be Vivienne. Vivienne could not possibly

it at the woman. “Why are you here?

chuckled. “Or I should call you Barnaby; why so agitated? I came after receiving

hesitation. A gunshot rang out, but sudden pain shot through her hand, sending the gun clattering

nonsense! Knowing my true name doesn’t make you trustworthy. Who are you?” Quincy demanded, still eyeing the