The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

All of this felt like a dream to Vivienne.

She pondered if only in a harmonious household like the Perez's, such an event could unfold without rousing suspicion among the other members.

Uncle Luke indeed had a heart big enough to embrace the entire Perez family.

"Getting married tomorrow, feeling nervous?"

Sasha suddenly popped the question.

Vivienne calmly responded, "Not at all."

Sasha smirked, "Wasn't talking to you, but about the one who's been counting days on the phone."

Vivienne, "..."

Tradition kept her from seeing Mr. Wolf until the wedding day, adding to his anxiety, palpable even through their nightly phone calls.

Sighing, she stood up, "Mom, you really should stop eavesdropping."

Sasha muttered, "Wasn't eavesdropping. You were the one speaking so loudly..."

As Vivienne turned to leave, Sasha's tone grew serious, "Something's not right. Be prepared for a tough day tomorrow."

Vivienne paused, "My wedding will happen, no one can stop it."

"Oh, and..."

Vivienne suddenly turned back, "Remember to invite Winston from the Wright family tomorrow. We missed him at your and dad's wedding. He's held onto that; let's not forget this time." Sasha was taken aback, realizing she had indeed forgotten.

Back in her room, Vivienne received a call from Draven.

"Young master, we've located Hunter. He was seen near Jericho Isle with an unidentified woman."

Jericho Isle, a woman.

Vivienne's eyes narrowed with determination, and she instructed Draven, "Notify the Nine Mystics Society. Everyone's on standby tomorrow."

She was resolved to deal with unfinished business once and for all.

The wedding day dawned with a procession from the Ellington family arriving at the Linklater residence. Percival, in a bespoke suit, entered with his groomsmen, Leopold and Thomas, by his side. Meanwhile, upstairs.

the assortment of nuts and snacks beside her, popping them into her

5 AM. After hours

soon, she joked to herself, she might faint from low blood sugar before exchanging

her bridesmaids,

"What do we do, Vivienne? Are they here already?

returning from the window, swallowed hard, "Me too. I just saw Leopold. What if they

That girl wouldn't have said a word

offered them each a date, "Want something to

and Griffin in unison, "How can you still eat at a time like

baffled by their

they think eating was a crime

sound of

voice echoed, "Vivienne, I'm

Wolf's voice, Vivienne promptly replied, "Come

Griffin scrambled behind the door, gesturing frantically, "He can't

Vivienne was speechless.

ones scared, they were the

they have a profound misunderstanding of the

they stick

how to demand a cash gift, two credit cards slid under the

voice followed, "A million each,

Charlotte, "..."

Griffin, "..."

blockade would just show

opened to reveal Percival, his

dress was his design, the diamonds painstakingly attached by him, but it was Vivienne's radiant smile that captured

eyes met, and Vivienne's face lit up brilliantly, while Percival, filled with happiness, took her

to the others who hurriedly

the procession made its

as if clutching

hand

wne

treasure, never wa

"Mr.

but his

"Boom!"

explosion sounded just