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.”

felt bitter or something else, had initially wanted to step out

what seemed like an eternity of waiting, just as Victoria’s patience was wearing thin

waned until she lazily asked, “Whose car

scoped out Percival’s ride, squinted for a better look and confirmed it was indeed the Ellington family’s car, a rare

opened the car door. “Miss, it’s Mr. Ellington and

drowsy mind suddenly snapped to attention. As she stepped out of her car, Percival

Through the windshield, Vivienne

familiar face and

Abernathy family’s daughter, Victoria—the one I told

spoke, Victoria was already by the car. “Ms. Hawthorn, I need a word

window and replied indifferently, “If you’ve got something to say, say it here. We’re in a

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

on the window frame. “And how is

concern

Abernathy, we have other

nearly getting lost

Walter a grateful glance. If it weren’t for him, she would have been dragged into

steadied herself, about to speak again, when she heard Percival’s icy voice, “Ms. Abernathy, if

else?” Victoria turned to Percival. “Ms.

curiously. “Why

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

warned, “You’d better hand over Kaitlyn quickly! She’s nothing but trouble. Do you want to bring disaster

at Victoria’s face which bore a striking resemblance to his aunt, Percival’s

and, at the same time,

Victoria met his intense

her skin crawled. “You can’t be serious! I’m trying to

Victoria’s gaze as she slowly rolled up the window. “Be careful—wear a mask too long, and