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.

indifferently, stepping aside to let them in. “Dad had the chef prepare your favorite dish,

since acknowledging their relationship, and the grand dining room brimmed with

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

warmth as he looked around at the gathered family, missing only the comatose Karen and her ever-watchful

“Don’t worry, Dad. With Vivienne here,

should be

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

I am,” Vivienne said with

grin, “Just one drink, one drink. Don’t worry, Vivienne. I’ll make sure Dad doesn’t have any more after

demeanor would have had his subordinates roaring

to think anything was amiss. Alice Churchill, Fredrick’s patient wife, rolled her eyes at him, “You’re hopeless, Fredrick. Don’t

you had it coming,” laughed Maddox, the only bachelor

glance swept over to him, but Maddox

Percival, Yuri quietly matched him drink for drink while keeping an eye on everyone at the table. Seeing Fredrick’s menacing look, he

since Luke took over the family business, they had all grown up under Fredrick’s strict

to

been long since the last time he had angered Fredrick, and the echoes of his pained howls were still fresh. Now, he had already forgotten and was making the same mistake. No wonder

flanked by the family’s two youngest members – Natalia and

chatted with her incessantly, offering her their treats, “Here, Vivienne, you

the child’s hand

accepted it without a

protest, but Vivienne waved her off, “It’s