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.

moment of silence, she commanded, “Look into that woman who fought us that

you had better be alive! Or else, even as a

…

At the Littleton Estate.

her family’s home, Vivienne had Matthew handle the transfer of ownership. Now,

was treating

both her husband’s leg

every time she opened

over the legacy that the

If anything went wrong…

to live with herself,

attention was focused on the silver needles embedded in Tyler’s leg, but she didn’t miss a single detail

It was too obvious!

Kaitlyn was troubled. But Vivienne stayed quiet, waiting for Kaitlyn

the 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 three doses,

Kaitlyn

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

hardships

of all, wished he could kneel before Vivienne. “Ms. Hawthorn, meeting you has been a blessing.

urged

nervously twisted together as she avoided

behavior didn’t escape Vivienne and

said, “Vivienne, now that we’ve seen

in a few days, and I’d like to invite Amelia

Amelia’s never been to such an event, and I’m afraid

slightly. “It’s no trouble at all. It’s settled then. I’ll come by to

a knowing glance with Percival and hand in hand, they

hesitated, but Anna, who had been following behind Vivienne, leaned in close to Kaitlyn and whispered, “Speak now or forever hold your peace. Miss your chance and

words struck a chord in

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

that she

“Vivienne’s new friend has quite the set of lungs. Practicing

at the volume of Kaitlyn’s shout, feeling as though a thousand bees were buzzing in her head. If she had known, she would have

Sadie, and Julian looked away, unable to bear the