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.”

had initially wanted to step out for a stroll, but her good mood had vanished

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

interest waned until she lazily asked, “Whose car

and confirmed it was indeed the Ellington

“Miss, it’s Mr. Ellington and

stepped out of her car, Percival was already bringing his

the windshield,

familiar face and asked, “You

nodded. “She’s the Abernathy

by the car. “Ms. Hawthorn, I need a

indifferently, “If you’ve got something to

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

window frame.

my concern because—my mother

other

was close, Victoria thought, nearly getting lost

Walter a grateful glance. If it weren’t for him,

speak again, when she heard Percival’s icy voice, “Ms. Abernathy, if there’s

else?” Victoria turned to Percival. “Ms. Hawthorn, where

looked at her curiously. “Why should I tell

planted her hands on 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 even

arms crossed and a look of disdain, she warned, “You’d better hand over Kaitlyn quickly! She’s nothing

Looking at Victoria’s face which bore a striking resemblance

his aunt and, at the

narrowed as Victoria met his intense

gaze, her skin crawled. “You can’t be serious! I’m trying to be helpful here. That woman will bring bad luck to any household she

glint passed through Vivienne’s eyes. She held Victoria’s gaze as she slowly rolled up the window. “Be careful—wear a mask