The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

When Leopold walked in, the scene before him stopped him dead in his tracks.

There was Percival, shirtless and blushing furiously, sprawled on the couch while Vivienne, with eyes sparkling with mischief, was pointing her smartphone at him like she was about to devour him whole. Leopold was dumbfounded.

He had only been gone for what, ten minutes? And things had escalated this quickly?

The room was buzzing with an energy that was both electric and slightly scandalous.

The unexpected interruption clearly didn't sit well with Vivienne, who shot Leopold a glare sharp enough to cut, "Out!"

Leopold, taken aback and with every wild thought fleeing his mind except for self-preservation, stammered, "Uh, Vivienne, I saw nothing, really. Just came to drop off the car keys...'

With that, he tossed the keys towards the entryway and made a hasty retreat, not even bothering to close the door properly.

Once outside, he took a deep breath.

Trust Vivienne to be involved in something he hadn't even dreamed of.

Poor Percival, though. In Vivienne's clutches, he was practically a goner.

After snapping a few pics, Vivienne put down her phone and picked up a cotton swab to tend to the scrapes on Percival's arms and shoulders.

Once she was done, she let out a sigh and finally voiced her concerns, "Mr. Wolf, it looks like our wedding might need to be postponed."

Percival turned to face her, "Your dad still not on board?"

Vivienne grimaced, "It's not just my dad this time. My four uncles too. They want to throw a big bash. My mom's wedding was a surprise to them, and now, they want to make sure they're fully prepared for ours."

Percival thought for a moment, then pulled her into a hug, "I understand."

Feeling his strong heartbeat, Vivienne nestled closer, "You're so understanding, Mr. Wolf."

Percival stroked her hair, his eyes filled with affection, "My understanding is all for you."

"But leave the wedding plans to me. I'll meet your dad and your uncles' demands, but we're not changing our date."

Vivienne looked up in surprise, "You think you can convince them?"

"There's always a way."

"I've dealt with tougher crowds than your brothers. Your uncles won't be a

but look forward to

just being by his side, but Vivienne

up, she saw

coffee table, complete with four dishes, a soup, and a palm-sized strawberry cheesecake. "Come on, have

down, reaching for the cake first, only for Percival

heart, "Mr. Wolf, you're getting stingy. This cake's too small for my appetite."

raised an eyebrow, "Fine, tomorrow I want

and nodded,

look, he asked, "Staying

not. I don't want your house to

Percival, "..."

everyone have to take their frustrations out

The Linklater household.

stepped in, Arthur's booming

he! I'm going to blow that scoundrel's house sky-high..." Vivienne strode over, ice in her voice, "And whose house are you

"I, uh..."

to

are you hungry? I've just mastered the perfect fried mozzarella sticks. Want to

for damage control, Arthur's face was

throbbed, "No thanks,

his daughter home safely deflated Arthur's earlier bluster, and he quickly agreed, "Alright, then first thing tomorrow, I'll make you breakfast." Vivienne, heading upstairs, suddenly turned back to Sasha, "Mom,

giving Arthur a

not be hasty next time. She's

to blow up anyone's

few days, Vivienne stayed quietly at

reading in the garden with Sasha

occasionally accepting deliveries of strawberry cheesecake from

as a lady awaiting her wedding day in

had won his daughter over, prompting him

from breakfast