The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

With a rare holiday break, Percival and Vivienne had been tearing it up for a full two days, reveling in the freedom and thrill of the outside world.

Nighttime found no rest for Percival who spent the better part of the darkness sleeping with Vivienne.

Even Vivienne, with her robust constitution, was spent.

By the third day, she was sprawled in bed until noon, only rallying in the afternoon to accompany Percival to Kaitlyn’s place.

…

Elsewhere, at a quaint house turned into a private meeting spot.

Victoria sat at the head of the table, her expression dark as storm clouds, “Have we still not found who took Kaitlyn?”

The bodyguard before her bowed his head. “It seems they were cautious. Surveillance along their path has been erased.”

“Damn it!”

Victoria slammed her fist down hard on the table, “Keep searching! And find out if any other families have taken in new faces recently!”

Kaitlyn, where on earth have you vanished to?

Dragging along three useless goons and a daughter, do you really think you can escape the watchful eye of our ancient lineage?

The bodyguard remained silent, waiting for Victoria to vent her frustration before stepping forward.

“I’ve investigated about what you said. No one has reported capturing Kaitlyn, and it doesn’t seem like she was taken against her will.”

Those from the ancient lineage weren’t known for their charity, certainly not to the extent of letting captives pack their belongings.

Victoria had considered this possibility.

But what friends could Kaitlyn possibly have in Rivenwood powerful enough to defy the lineage?

Not likely!

Victoria’s eyes suddenly widened as Vivienne’s unforgettable face flashed through her mind.

us that day. I want to see who has

be alive! Or else, even as a

…

At the Littleton Estate.

Vivienne had Matthew handle the

treating Tyler’s

watching both her husband’s leg and

in-laws, she wanted to say something, but every time she opened her mouth

to hand over the legacy that the Littletons had

If anything went wrong…

live with herself, much less

Tyler’s leg, but she didn’t miss a

It was too obvious!

half a brain could tell Kaitlyn was troubled. But

said, “This medicine, along with the ointment, should be taken internally. It might hurt, but

you, Ms. Hawthorn,” Kaitlyn blurted out,

and Julian, quiet until now, bowed incessantly to Vivienne as they said, “Ms. Hawthorn, we can’t thank you enough. Without you, our family… we wouldn’t know

of their recent hardships brought tears

moved of all, wished he could kneel before Vivienne. “Ms. Hawthorn, meeting you has been a blessing. Without

glance urged

twisted together as she

didn’t escape Vivienne

“Vivienne, now

a party in a few days, and I’d like

but how can we? Amelia’s never been to such an event, and I’m afraid

at all. It’s settled then. I’ll come by

and hand in hand, they started to

Vivienne, leaned in close to Kaitlyn and whispered, “Speak now or forever hold your

words struck a chord in

wait! There’s something

that she should

friend has quite the set of lungs. Practicing some kind

as though a thousand bees were buzzing in her head. If she had

Sadie, and Julian looked away, unable to bear the