The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Victoria's tension finally eased as she rose to her feet, moving even quicker than Isolde. "You're back at last. I've been needing to talk to you."

"Vivienne, come and play with me!" Isolde then bounded over, embracing Vivienne's legs with a childlike whine.

Percival, who had entered with them, was completely overlooked until Cecilia, who had been busy organizing dinner, acknowledged him, "What are all of you loitering around for? Percival, your wife has been on her feet all day. How can you just let her stand there chatting with Victoria without offering her a seat?"

"Vivienne, come over and sit down."

Percival thought to himself: That greeting could hardly be called welcoming.

"Mom, we've got matters to discuss. We'll be upstairs for a bit."

Vivienne, accustomed to such scenarios, exchanged pleasantries with Cecilia before bending down to explain to Isolde, "I'll play with you later, Isolde. I've got some things to take care of first."

Vivienne, Percival, and Victoria then headed to Percival's study in the Ellington Mansion.

Unlike the old-fashioned study brimming with ancient books, Percival's study was almost eerily spacious, yet boasted the best soundproofing in the entire villa.

What was discussed there remained a mystery.

All that was known was that upon returning from the Ellington household, Victoria burst into Harrison's lab. "Vivienne has agreed to a three-day postponement of the trial. If you've got any plans, now's the time to act. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Just three days?

Harrison, peering through his microscope, frowned slightly. "I was hoping you could've gotten us a week."

His voice, tinged with sarcasm and disappointment, sparked Victoria's temper like a match to dynamite.

Her voice rose sharply, "Be thankful for the three days I got you! A week? Why didn't you negotiate with Vivienne yourself?! It took a tantrum and guilt-tripping her to get this extension. You're ungrateful! Next time, do it yourself. I bet if you could get even a day, I'd take your name!"

stating, "There won't be a next time.

you're already daydreaming? Thinking you can trample over Percival, as

shifting towards Victoria with a hint of suspicion. "You seem... quite admiring of Percival. What? After two days at the Ellington estate, you're already

it matter to you? I simply believe the Ellingtons outshine the Abernathys, and Percival

back to his work. "Whatever you

at the end of his

"Spare me the

the solution from the dropper mixed with the colorful

this is all over, I'll

denied. "I never said I'd tell

to rage

frustration palpable even though she knew he

she sought. Harrison's

fueled her anger.

You're playing with fire!

echoed. "Harrison, you'd better not cross me, or you'll regret

parting shot, Victoria

that Harrison ceased his work, his gaze

certain fondness

a moment lost on the all-male laboratory crew who had missed the

dinner, witnessing Harrison's smile, they shuddered, half-expecting to find something sinister lurking behind

had sent to

to the

hide

openly flaunting his devotion.

My wife was

just left before