The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The evening drizzle cast a somber tune against the windowpanes of a cozy suburban home.

Mara lounged in the living room after dismissing her evening help, swirling a glass of Cabernet as she stared blankly at the ceiling.

The front door swung open, but Mara did not flinch.

A chill draft swept through, prompting Mara to frown. “Ever heard of closing the door?”

“Always such a stickler for details, aren’t you?”

At the doorway, a woman shook off her umbrella, her stilettos clicking on the hardwood floor as she strode in.

The rhythmic tap of the heels only heightened Mara’s irritation, her frown growing deeper. “You’ve never had an ounce of manners.”

The woman sat down, her flawless features stark against Mara’s scar-streaked visage.

Eyeing the woman’s perfect complexion, Mara’s gaze turned venomous, a visceral urge to shatter her wine glass and scar that pristine face.

To aerate the expensive wine with her blood!

“Gillian, didn’t I tell you to cover that revolting face when you see me?”

This was the woman who had once been incarcerated for willful harm, Gillian Ashford!

Gillian snorted with contempt, crossing her long legs. “Compared to yours, I think my face is the least of our worries.”

Mara stood abruptly, fury in her eyes, and for a moment, she wanted nothing more than to throttle the life out of Gillian.

Gillian, however, nonchalantly gestured. “Sit down and listen to what I have to say, or you’ll regret it.”

Mara clenched her jaw, reluctantly sitting back down.

Then, she scoffed. “We’re both no better than lapdogs, Gillian. Do you think you’re still the darling of Sea City? I’ve got news for you – you’re nothing now. So quit parading around like you’re high and mighty, bitch.”

mouth,” Gillian snapped back,

saint, and neither

at each other, neither willing to back down until a clap of thunder outside drew their attention away

moment, Gillian produced two photographs from her

at Elite University, aiming for a master’s in

a withering look, picking up Aaron’s photo. “Isn’t this the genius

protege. He seems quite taken with her, collecting all sorts of information on her. Your task is to

one doing this? Luring men is more your speed. Your goal and his align perfectly – you want to marry

this is serious. Don’t forget our master’s orders,”

master, Mara shivered, her tone becoming more subdued. “What

also at Elite University. He seems to be in touch with Anna from Vanguard Agency, and that woman is trouble. Kenneth’s close

sight of you,”

Mara was from the Boyd family, a family with a sterling reputation, and she was Percival’s

said as she

sat in the dark, clutching

“Vivienne, just wait.”

University was fragrant with the scent of cherry blossoms, the air

was far

the university and the company, though

on campus, peace had been scarce in Aaron’s

something from his room when he was greeted by the sight of a freshly showered Kenneth,

cry out for security

the door! It’s cold,” Kenneth said nonchalantly, grabbing a soda from the fridge and taking a

cold, and you’re drinking that?

passersby got an eyeful of Kenneth’s indecency,

the door,” Kenneth

disgusted by the litter of clothes and underwear

shame?” Aaron chided. “This is

back on the bed carelessly, Kenneth replied, “We’re all friends here. What’s the big