The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Sophie's movement across the room halted abruptly as she exclaimed indignantly, "Who are you calling irrelevant? Victoria is my sister, which makes me Percival's sister-in-law by extension. You, his so-called

fiancée, are the outsider here!"

Her words only added to the already frosty atmosphere, making it downright suffocating.

Thomas glanced at Percival, marveling inwardly at the absurdity of the situation: "This matchmaker must've lost their mind."

Leopold, whose attention had been solely on the lavish spread of food before him, nodded in agreement without looking up.

Before Vivienne could even open her mouth, Percival slightly leaned back, as if Sophie was a plague he wanted to avoid, quickly putting distance between them. "Vivienne is my wife."

His gaze lifted slightly, his usual disdain replaced with a rare seriousness as he said, "My lawful wife."

Vivienne couldn't help but laugh out loud.

There was something endearing about Percival when he got all serious.

Ever since they had made it official and updated their status on Facebook, although everyone in their circle knew about their marriage, there were still many who were unaware of their union.

Only Victoria from the Abernathy family was in the know; others might have stumbled upon it while looking her up, but Sophie was likely clueless, or she wouldn't have referred to Vivienne as the fiancée.

Vivienne was convinced that if Sophie uttered "fiancée" one more time, Percival would not hesitate to show her the door.

Percival's gaze on Sophie was filled with undisguised aversion, "Remember to bring your brain next time you go out."

If it weren't for Victoria inviting her, he wouldn't even let Sophie step foot in the house.

eyes brimming with tears, looked on the verge of crying, "How can you say that

her another

needed to cleanse his sight with his wife's image after being subjected

nonchalantly, voiced her agreement, "Cousin speaks my mind. I never acknowledged her as my sister;

we call off this meeting." Vivienne set down her cutlery, her

go," she suggested, patting her stomach, "Let's try a

he turned to Vivienne, a stark contrast to his disdainful treatment of Sophie, "What would you like to

Harrison abruptly stood up,

Leopold slapped his hand away and, alongside Thomas, positioned themselves protectively in front of Vivienne and Percival, "Mr. Schram, Vivienne is far too precious

glacial, "Mr. Sterling, I don't think my family

stopped in her tracks, turning to face Harrison, "Family matters? And who might your family

smile tightened, "Calling me out in front of

case you've forgotten your name, let me

"And stop calling me your cousin-in-law. I've said

Harrison's complexion turned an

ugly shade

purple

for words, then said

not, Victoria is my wife.

Vivienne's response

to retort, Sophie, unable to contain herself any longer, stood

pained expression, "No matter.net

my sister's husband. How can you not show him

respect?"

with a mix of pity and righteous indignation, kept darting