The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At 7 p.m., Vivienne was lounging in the living room, indulging in a slice of strawberry cheesecake, when Griffin's call came through.

His voice sounded muffled, as if he was speaking through cotton, "Vivienne..."

"Yeah, what's up?" she responded, her voice casual as she took a generous bite of her cheesecake.

There was a noticeable pause on Griffin's end before he took a deep breath. "Vivienne, how is she doing?"

"Who are you asking about?" Vivienne queried, feigning ignorance.

Griffin seemed to freeze for a moment, almost on the verge of breaking down. "Vivienne, please don't torture me like this. You know the situation with my family. I know I'm taking a gamble, but I just can't help feeling anxious..."

Vivienne set down her fork, her tone turning slightly stern, "If you've decided to gamble, then stick to your guns. Doubting yourself won't help."

After a moment of silence, Griffin softly replied, "I understand, Vivienne."

Percival emerged from the kitchen with ribs just as Vivienne hung up, her attention still partially on the half-eaten strawberry cheesecake.

He swiftly reclaimed the remaining half, meeting her protective gaze with a resigned, "Let's eat first."

Glancing at the confiscated cake, Vivienne reluctantly gave in, knowing all too well that only Mr. Wolf's strawberry cheesecake tasted that divine. The difference between having a cake every day and occasionally was clear to her.

During dinner, Vivienne casually asked, "Mr. Wolf, how long do you think Abigail can hold out?"

Percival served her some greens without hesitation, confidently stating, "Not much longer. The one in a hurry isn't us, it's her." Vivienne nodded, discreetly topping her greens with a sweet and sour rib, only to catch Percival's watchful gaze, "No picking." Vivienne, "..."

After dinner, as Percival cleaned up the kitchen, Vivienne headed for a shower.

Emerging to find him already in his robe, sitting on the bed, he patted the space beside him, "Come here."

Vivienne's heart skipped a beat, though her body willingly moved forward.

"Mr. Wolf..."

it was his feigned menace that made her gulp,

next day. She had come to realize that the post-marriage Mr. Wolf was like a forbidden charm unleashed, overwhelming at times. Percival chuckled softly, pulling her down

Vivienne blinked in surprise.

touch, thinking to herself how marriage indeed had its perks. He took care of

of Percival's chest against

Vivienne, "..."

Just like that?

"Tomorrow we're visiting the Linklaters. I'd rather not have your dad chase me with a knife. We'll

her? Arthur's grudge against

The next day.

gift was ready and would be sent to the

found a red dress laid

upon waking.

elegance matched her favorite.net

perfectly, undoubtedly Mr. Wolf's

the kitchen. Sitting at the counter, she watched the man

and a warm smile spread across Vivienne's face, "Mr. Wolf,

few meals can do that,

playfully suggested, "Maybe I should give cooking a

to worry about that

momentarily distracted by her phone. "Mr. Wolf, is this thing Thomas

and nodded, "Yes, sorting some paperwork overseas took a couple of days. I've checked,

two hundred companies and billions in

Draven was already

secretive force abroad had reached out to the Nine Mystics Society on Mr. Wolf's behalf. Under her command, they'd move at her word. Percival handed her warm milk, trivializing his contributions, "You said you'd take care of me for the rest of our lives, remember?"

her lips together, understanding

No point in arguing.