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."

her nose gently, "I've dealt with tougher crowds than

to it,

was the comfort of Mr. Wolf's couch, or just being by his side, but Vivienne soon drifted off to

saw dusk had settled

had prepared dinner, laid out on the coffee table, complete with four dishes, a soup, and a palm-sized strawberry cheesecake. "Come

reaching for the cake first, only for Percival to hand her a

crawling in her heart, "Mr. Wolf, you're getting stingy. This cake's too small

I want

and

with a deep look, he asked, "Staying

don't

Percival, "..."

have to take their frustrations out on his

The Linklater household.

Vivienne stepped in, Arthur's booming voice

a decade. How dare he! I'm going to blow that scoundrel's house sky-high..." Vivienne strode over, ice in her

"I, uh..."

to fondness in

are you hungry? I've just mastered the

damage control, Arthur's face

throbbed, "No

I'll make you breakfast." Vivienne, heading upstairs,

giving Arthur

hasty next time. She's

to blow up anyone's

the next few days, Vivienne stayed quietly at

in the garden with Sasha and her nights

strawberry cheesecake from Percival,

a lady awaiting her wedding day

won his daughter over, prompting him

from