The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne took several deep breaths before delivering a resounding slap to the back of Brian’s head. “Go run laps around the entire institute! And guess what? You’ve just earned yourself the honor of cleaning duty for the next two months!”

She then turned her attention to Brody who looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

With a swift motion, he sprung to his feet and dashed out, his complexion ashen as he passed his colleagues who could easily spot his pallor.

Brian clambered up from the floor. “What a coward. I mean, Vivienne’s stunning. What’s there to be afraid of?”

His voice wasn’t loud, but in the eerie silence of the institute, even an ant’s footsteps would have echoed.

Everyone, including Leopold, froze for a second, glancing at Vivienne’s reaction.

Leopold gulped before venturing, “Is it possible that, uh, they’re actually afraid of you?”

Meanwhile, Percival had approached Vivienne’s side. “Come on, don’t waste your breath here. Let’s get out of here.”

…

On the approach to the grand Ellington Mansion.

“Are you sure this is where Vivienne lives?”

Victoria sat in the car, surveying the distant property.

The scale and setting were on par with the top noble houses, and she’d heard Vivienne was the granddaughter-in-law of the owner of the mansion.

No wonder she’d been so bold the other day.

The bodyguard pointed toward the distant Ellington estate. “That’s Ms. Hawthorn’s in-laws’ place. The road there leads to the bridal suite of Ms. Hawthorn and her husband. This route is a must-pass for them.”

whether she felt bitter or something else, had initially wanted to step out for a stroll, but her good mood

Victoria’s patience was wearing thin for the tenth time, another car finally appeared in

until she lazily

better look and confirmed it was indeed the

opened the car door. “Miss, it’s

she stepped out of her car, Percival was

her.” Through the windshield, Vivienne recognized

face and asked,

glanced at him and nodded. “She’s the Abernathy

Victoria was already by the car. “Ms. Hawthorn, I need a word with you, if you don’t mind stepping

rolled down the window and replied indifferently, “If you’ve got something to

you no manners?” Her eyes flicked to Percival, her voice indignant. “For heaven’s sake, you’re set to be the lady of the Ellington family. Didn’t Richard teach you

leaned on the window frame.

concern because—my

we have other matters to

close, Victoria thought, nearly getting lost

it weren’t for him, she would have been dragged into

to speak again, when she heard Percival’s icy voice, “Ms. Abernathy, if there’s nothing else, don’t block

there’s nothing else?” Victoria turned to Percival. “Ms.

her curiously.

her hips. “Because I am the daughter of the Abernathy family! Don’t think I can’t touch you just because you’re clinging to the Ellingtons. You’re nothing more than the daughter of some perfume company CEO. I’m

better hand over Kaitlyn quickly! She’s nothing but trouble. Do you want to bring disaster upon the Ellington

protect someone?” Looking at Victoria’s face which bore a striking resemblance to his aunt, Percival’s deep eyes filled with a

and, at the

Victoria met

“You can’t be serious! I’m trying to be helpful here. That

mysterious glint passed through Vivienne’s eyes. She held Victoria’s gaze as she slowly rolled up the window. “Be careful—wear a mask too long, and you might forget how to take