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.”

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

patience was wearing thin for the tenth time, another

waned until she lazily

Percival’s ride, squinted for a better look and confirmed it

opened the car door. “Miss, it’s Mr.

here?” Victoria’s drowsy mind suddenly snapped to attention. As she stepped out of her car, Percival was

her.” Through the windshield,

familiar face and asked,

the Abernathy family’s daughter,

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

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

Percival, her voice indignant. “For heaven’s sake, you’re set to be the lady of the Ellington family. Didn’t

the window frame. “And how is

my concern

Abernathy, we have other

Victoria thought, nearly

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

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

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

her curiously.

daughter of the Abernathy family! Don’t think I can’t touch you just because you’re clinging to the Ellingtons. You’re

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

bore a striking resemblance to his aunt,

and, at the same time,

as Victoria met his intense

prey under a hawk’s gaze, her skin crawled. “You can’t be serious! I’m trying to be

she slowly rolled up the window.