The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne sighed deeply as she read the text message screenshot Donald had sent her, feigning distress, thinking, “Seriously, is being this petty absolutely necessary?”

Percival’s hand had never left her shoulder, so he naturally didn’t miss the message popping up on her phone.

Watching another man throw a temper tantrum at his wife, Percival felt the acidic jealousy bubble up inside him. But if one were to trace the root of the issue, it would lead back to one of the infamous trio of numbskulls, who had been swaggering around without a care in the world.

Percival’s eyes narrowed slightly, sending a shiver down Leopold’s spine.

Before he could react, he felt something smack the back of his head, and he spun around, ready to fight, “Who’s there? Who dares to hit me? Do you have a death wish…”

His threatening words trailed off as he met Percival’s icy gaze.

Leopold’s normally confident facade crumbled upon seeing Percival.

Awkwardly straightening up, he thought, of course, who else but Vivienne and Percival, the dynamic duo, could be behind him? No one else would dare to mess with him. He should have known better than to get involved with this mess.

Ever since they got married, Percival had been getting more and more possessive.

“Vivienne?” Maddox called out from the doorway, having watched the trio for a while.

Noticing the three of them chatting in the yard, instead of coming inside and suspecting something was up, he stepped out, “Why aren’t you coming in? Dinner’s ready; we’re just waiting on you and Percival.”

“And me, don’t forget about me,” Leopold interjected, not willing to be left out.

Having taken his lumps and noted his grievances, he was determined to partake in the meal today, or it would be a total loss.

alright, you too,” Maddox replied indifferently, stepping aside to let them in. “Dad had the chef prepare your favorite dish, Vivienne. You’ve been

family gathering since acknowledging their relationship, and

staff had been given the day off, so the only people present were the core members of the Perez family and their special friends, like Richard and

who had shamelessly squeezed his way in for

up, our family will truly be complete,” Jasper observed with warmth as he

worry, Dad.

wife Carmen Pendleton chimed in, “That’s right, Dad. We should be happy that they

poured a drink for Jasper, “Dad, it’s a day for celebration. I know Sasha said you shouldn’t drink, but let’s

here, but I am,” Vivienne said

her words, managing a sheepish grin, “Just one drink, one drink. Don’t worry, Vivienne. I’ll

have had his subordinates roaring

Alice Churchill, Fredrick’s patient wife, rolled her eyes at him,

Maddox, the only bachelor at the table, his voice

him, but Maddox showed no

Yuri quietly matched him drink for drink while keeping an eye on everyone at the table. Seeing Fredrick’s menacing look, he sent a sympathetic look to Maddox, who was still laughing

business, they had all grown up under Fredrick’s strict

Maddox seemed to have

had angered Fredrick, and the echoes of his pained howls were still

more. She sat next to Percival, flanked by the family’s

kids adored Vivienne and chatted with her incessantly,

bean pastry in the child’s hand was

their mother, cringed at the sight, Vivienne accepted it without a second

her off, “It’s okay,