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.

of silence, she commanded, “Look into that woman who fought us that day. I want to see who has the guts to take

better be alive! Or else, even as

…

At the Littleton Estate.

the transfer of ownership. Now, the house

treating

husband’s leg and Vivienne, was hesitant to

her in-laws, she wanted to say something, but every time she opened her mouth and saw Vivienne’s youthful face,

the Littletons had protected for generations to

If anything went wrong…

how to live with herself, much

Tyler’s leg, but she didn’t miss a

It was too obvious!

troubled. But Vivienne

time came to remove the needles, Vivienne stood up and said, “This medicine, along with the ointment, should be taken internally. It might hurt, but if you can endure

Ms. Hawthorn,” Kaitlyn blurted out, overwhelmed

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

thought of their recent hardships brought tears to their

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

glance urged

together as she avoided her husband’s

behavior didn’t escape Vivienne

flickered as he said, “Vivienne, now that we’ve seen to

nodded. “Oh, and Kaitlyn. We’re hosting a party in a few days, and I’d like to invite

but how can we? Amelia’s never been to such an event,

It’s settled then.

with Percival and hand in

following behind Vivienne, leaned in close to Kaitlyn and whispered, “Speak now or forever hold your peace. Miss your chance and there’s

a chord

“Ms. Hawthorn, wait! There’s something I need

that she should have covered

new friend has quite the set of lungs. Practicing some kind of roar

feeling as though a thousand bees were buzzing in her head. If she had known, she would have kept

and Julian looked away, unable to bear