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!"

ignored her rant, calmly stating, "There won't be a next time.

annoyance. "The sun hasn't even set and you're already daydreaming? Thinking you can trample over Percival, as if Gavin was someone you could easily please.

with a hint of suspicion. "You seem... quite admiring of Percival. What? After two days at the Ellington estate, you're already siding with them? Recognizing Percival's

matter to you? I simply believe the Ellingtons

to his work. "Whatever you do is fine by me. After

this with a slight uptick at the end

her arms, unconsciously moving closer to Seaton. "Spare me the disgust. Tell me, where is my mother,

mixed with

"Why the rush? Once this is all over, I'll tell you. Now's not

instantly denied. "I never said I'd

fire seemed to rage

though she knew he

she sought. Harrison's

fueled her anger.

You're playing with fire!

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

parting

until her figure had disappeared that Harrison ceased his work, his gaze lingering in the direction she left,

found a certain fondness for Victoria's impassioned, albeit powerless,

on

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

sent to assist

to the

hide

openly flaunting his devotion.

much. My wife was

left before you came