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.

fought us that day. I want to see who has

Or else, even as a ghost,

…

At the Littleton Estate.

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

was treating Tyler’s

leg and Vivienne, was hesitant to

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

that the Littletons had protected for generations to such a young

If anything went wrong…

wouldn’t know how to live with herself, much less face

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

It was too obvious!

a brain could tell Kaitlyn was troubled. But

needles, Vivienne stood up and said, “This medicine, along with the ointment, should be taken internally. It might hurt, but

Ms. Hawthorn,” Kaitlyn blurted

incessantly to Vivienne as they said, “Ms. Hawthorn, we

their recent hardships

kneel before Vivienne. “Ms. Hawthorn, meeting you has been a blessing. Without your help, my

urged Kaitlyn

as

odd behavior didn’t

“Vivienne, now that we’ve seen

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

to such an

“It’s no trouble at all. It’s

and hand in

but Anna, who had been following behind Vivienne, leaned in close to Kaitlyn and whispered, “Speak now or

struck a chord in

into action, she blurted, “Ms. Hawthorn, wait! There’s something

herself that she should have

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

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

away, unable