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."

tapped her nose gently, "I've dealt with tougher crowds than your brothers. Your uncles

couldn't help but look forward to

just being by his side, but Vivienne soon

up, she saw dusk had settled

four dishes, a soup, and a palm-sized strawberry cheesecake.

reaching for the cake first, only for Percival

Vivienne felt as if there were ants crawling in her heart, "Mr. Wolf, you're getting stingy. This cake's too small for my appetite." Percival sighed, "Eating too much cream at night isn't good for

"Fine, tomorrow I want

and nodded,

look, he

don't want your house to be one room

Percival, "..."

have to take their frustrations out on

The Linklater household.

soon as Vivienne stepped in, Arthur's

you stop me, honey! Vivienne's been my darling daughter for over a decade. How dare he! I'm going to blow that scoundrel's house sky-high..." Vivienne strode

"I, uh..."

fury to fondness in

was saying, it's late; are you hungry? I've just mastered the

Arthur's face

temples throbbed, "No thanks,

bluster, and he quickly agreed, "Alright, then first thing tomorrow, I'll make you breakfast." Vivienne, heading upstairs, suddenly turned back to

nodded, giving

be hasty next time.

to blow

next few days,

spent her days reading in the garden with Sasha and her

deliveries of strawberry cheesecake

was as demure as a lady awaiting her wedding

cooking had won his daughter over, prompting him to

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