The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Stifling the churning in her stomach, Victoria shifted in her seat and propped her head up with one hand. "Don't make me sick, Harrison. You might be able to fool my dad with your little schemes, but you can't fool me. Go ahead and mess with the Littletons behind my back; I couldn't care less. I've never been one for such life-shortening endeavors."

Rising from her chair, she approached Harrison. "But let me warn you! The Ellingtons have got Kaitlyn's back now, so you'd better tread lightly. If you bring trouble my way, don't expect me to play the loving wife."

Her pale fingertips tapped Harrison's chest.

Before Victoria could retract her hand, he grabbed it and pressed it against his heart. "Victoria, we're in this together. I'm helping out Dad to make him see our worth a bit more."

He pursed his lips, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "You don't understand. If I don't get involved, Sophie and her mother will take all the credit. You wouldn't want to see that, would you?

After all, your mother's fate is still in Dad's hands. If we don't get our hands on that item within a week, who do you think Dad will blame when the Grimshaws come knocking?"

His words were like a gentle knife, slicing away at Victoria's heart.

Harrison had honed his skills over the years, his cool gaze seemingly laden with affection. But upon closer inspection, one could see nothing but cold calculation in his eyes. No trace of the tenderness and warmth expected between spouses.

Victoria knew that look all too well. Unless he needed something, Harrison was always indifferent to her, only playing the doting husband in front of Gavin.

She hadn't expected Vivienne to invoke such fear in Harrison. Suppressing a smirk, she tried to pull her fingers away, but his grip was astonishingly strong. No matter how hard she tried, his palm remained firmly in place.

pretense. It reminded her too much of how Gavin might have sweet-talked her mother with feigned affection, only to discard her once there was no more

don't want another kick to that

but

pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her fingers meticulously as if she had touched something vile and couldn't scrub it off

Victoria felt like she had been targeted by a viper lurking in

and

charming and easygoing facade,

to shudder. She

she had to hold it together. She must! It wasn't time to confront Harrison just

forced a twitch of her lips and tossed the handkerchief into the trash. "Don't use me as your excuse. I've seen plenty like you-ungrateful,

yet. Whether they'll get a share of the inheritance is another

father's good graces. You've spent enough years in our household to understand him well. You're betting he wouldn't pass the legacy

favor with my father. But what a pity. You've hit a snag. If I'm not mistaken, Vivienne and Percival have already found evidence of your past misdeeds against the Littletons.

on Gøøglᴇ to

his arms around her. "I

frowned. "Do you think that's possible? Why on earth should

mother is." Harrison looked into Victoria's suddenly wide