The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Victoria's fragile demeanor was something Vivienne couldn't bear to witness. "Harrison was all set to take this to court with Vivienne, but when he heard about our relationship, he feared a family feud in the courtroom would spoil relations. He also worried I wouldn't be able to integrate into the Ellingtons, so he hoped his cousin would drop the lawsuit voluntarily. After all, no matter how this lawsuit goes, we're bound to win."

She said this with a pointed look at Vivienne, "It would be a shame for all your efforts to end up fruitless."

Vivienne thought to herself, 'Playing the coquette certainly requires talent.'

Percival spoke without a hint of emotion, "Really? We're not afraid of a little discord. Court sounds just fine to me."

"Mr. Ellington perhaps shouldn't indulge Ms. Hawthorn quite so much." Harrison sipped his tea, the picture of calm, "She's young, easily deceived. Hoodwinked by Kaitlyn's spiel, her misplaced sense of loyalty is understandable. But should Mr. Ellington really turn against his own kin for a woman with no blood ties?

Besides, the matter at hand, no matter how you slice it, is between Kaitlyn and me. Mr. Ellington and Ms. Hawthorn, sticking your noses in, doesn't seem quite right."

Vivienne's retort was nonchalant, "I have money to spare, and I enjoy it. Do you have a problem with that?"

Her delicate chin tilted ever so slightly, a mix of haughtiness and charm.

Richard watched, a smile growing in his eyes. That's our Vivienne, he thought, always standing up for the underdog, far better than that icy-faced grandson of mine!

He glanced at the silent Percival and huffed, "Harrison, it's not that I don't want to help you. But the lawsuit's already filed; there's no talk of backing down now. Let the young one help if she wants. If the case is a lost cause as you claim, it'll be a lesson learned for her. Don't worry, with me around, there won't be any hard feelings between them and you."

sweeping over the assembly without betraying

half a brain could tell his heart

for Vivienne. All those Harrison had approached, overtly or covertly, dared not criticize Percival. Was the

in court? No man would relish being labeled a scoundrel,

help but turn away, her

enough. He leaned in close to Vivienne, his words clear in the hushed study, "You're wrong, Vivienne. Some shameless men quite enjoy their scoundrel reputation. But Harrison is surely not one of them. Otherwise, how could he have married into the Abernathy

in the room, especially in Richard,

never wanted to distance himself from Gavin more than in that

Percival there, lying

excuse, "There's no need for all this pretense if

beyond what Harrison had anticipated. His heart plummeted, recalling the panic he felt when he first took over his family's business,

How could this happen?!

How could he remain so indifferent to Victoria's pleas?!

the old man. Before leaving, she glanced back at Harrison, "Karma always catches up with those who

that, she left with a

her eye that was hard to decipher-was it mockery or pity

there's no second Kaitlyn to fall for your