The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Sophie clutched her chest, blinking away tears that soon streaked down her cheeks. She seemed rattled by Kaitlyn's outburst, stumbling several steps backward. Her footing faltered, sending her tumbling towards Percival.

It looked as though she would collide with the man's solid frame.

Percival's eyes narrowed imperceptibly, shifting aside just enough to avoid her. His deep, shadowy gaze held a ferocity and disdain that, apart from Vivienne, no one could decipher.

"Ah!"

Raised in the lap of luxury by Gavin Abernathy, Sophie's anticipated embrace vanished, replaced by a sharp pain.

Tears as big as peas fell from the corners of her eyes as she looked up at Percival, "Mr. Ellington, could you lend me a hand?"

She was a true pupil of Madeline's guile. Despite Sophie's allure, her doe eyes were as clear and innocent as a frightened rabbit's.

Even Kaitlyn, a woman herself, couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity at the sight.

Yet Percival didn't so much as flutter an eyelid, "Are you incapacitated?"

Vivienne's lips curled into a smirk.

Indeed! Her Mr. Wolf was unimpeachable in matters of chivalry.

Sophie's expression froze. She'd heard tales of Percival's foul temper stemming from a past injury, but she hadn't expected such indifference.

herself the second daughter of

"But I'm hurt. Mr. Ellington, I think my elbow is broken. Could you, out of decency for the help I've provided, take me to the hospital?" Vivienne's smirk remained, "You helped

face shifted colors as she began to

curious how you managed to

seeing Sophie on the ground, pitiful, he stepped forward out of respect for Harrison and helped

young officer, Inigo, nearly wept, "This... I... It was out of my hands, Captain. The AC in the interrogation room broke, and I

them there to die." He wrung his hands, his explanation full of coincidences, "Ms. Sophie

the end, Inigo hung his head, "Captain, I swear I didn't abuse them. I know the rules. How could I do such

Vivienne, "I know Ms. Hawthorn is cautious, but that's no reason

I wasn't involved, it was

rested on her, Sophie bit her lip

narrowed, sharp as a drawn blade, his inky eyes chilling with frost, "Explain. Victoria was after

"Her mother. I... I've heard that lady has a history with Mr. Ellington. She's supposed to be Mr. Ellington's aunt..." "Silence!" Percival's voice cut through the air, "You do not have the right to speak

deceived by that woman and

into a judge from the underworld as he stared at

Even when Gavin lost his temper, it was never with this intensity. It was as if one more word from her would spell her doom. She trembled involuntarily, shrinking back

her

being Percival's aunt, Kaitlyn had frozen, the hatred in her eyes dissipating. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNovᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in

extended to her

desired effect. Regardless of who held the recipe, if they