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.

woman who fought us that day. I

alive! Or else, even as

…

At the Littleton Estate.

home, Vivienne had Matthew handle the transfer of ownership. Now,

was treating

watching both her husband’s leg and Vivienne, was hesitant

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

to hand over the legacy that the Littletons had protected for generations to

If anything went wrong…

live with herself,

attention was focused on the silver needles embedded in Tyler’s leg, but she

It was too obvious!

with half a brain could tell Kaitlyn was troubled. But Vivienne stayed

“This medicine, along with the ointment, should be taken internally. It might hurt, but if you can endure three doses,

Kaitlyn blurted out, overwhelmed

“Ms. Hawthorn, we can’t thank you enough. Without you, our family… we wouldn’t know how

thought of their recent hardships brought tears to their

he could kneel before Vivienne. “Ms. Hawthorn, meeting you has been a blessing. Without your help, my leg and Kaitlyn… we’d still be living

urged

as

odd behavior didn’t escape

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

We’re hosting a party in a few days, and I’d like

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

It’s settled then. I’ll

Percival and hand in hand, they started to leave

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 there’s no

a chord in

Hawthorn, wait! There’s something I need

to herself that she should have

silently, “Vivienne’s new friend has quite the

of Kaitlyn’s shout, feeling as though a thousand

Julian looked away, unable