The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne nodded wearily.

At this point, she was running on fumes, her mind a blank slate with the sole desire to crash into bed and sleep for an eternity.

Percival wrapped an arm around her and guided her to the car, signaling to Thomas, "Let's hit the road."

Thomas glanced back at the house, noticing Leopold still inside, "Percival, what about Leopold...?"

He had been outside and was clueless about the happenings within.

Snuggled in Mr. Wolf's embrace, Vivienne closed her eyes and murmured, "No need to wait. He's probably over the moon with his lady love, lost in his own world by now."

Thomas was speechless.

Some say ignorance is bliss, and Leopold was living proof, blissfully unaware of his dumb luck.

With Vivienne and Finnian on their side, this plan was bound to succeed without the Sterling family lifting a finger.

Back at their place, Vivienne hurried through a shower, intending to hit the sack, but Percival had other plans. He dragged her to the dining table, "Hold up, eat something first. Your favorite strawberry cheesecake is waiting."

Barely keeping her eyes open, Vivienne's protest died on her lips.

She let Mr. Wolf lead her to the table.

In the end, she was spoon-fed by Mr. Wolf himself, too drained to even lift a spoon.

She slept till the wee hours, waking only to quench her thirst and sift through a work email from Matthew before plunging back into sleep.

The next morning, Vivienne returned from her run, refreshed and energetic.

Upon entering, she heard Mr. Wolf from the kitchen, "Vivienne, you've got a call."

She hummed in acknowledgment, having left her phone at home during her run.

Checking her phone, she called back, "Cordelia, what's up? Is Thaddeus feeling alright?"

Cordelia's voice came through, tinged with embarrassment, "Vivienne, Thaddeus is fine now. I was actually calling to see if you're free lately. I need your help with a medical issue."

"Medical issue?"

"Who's the

someone close in need, but Dorian and Thaddeus were

for her

no refusal, Cordelia felt even more indebted, "It's my

be desperate to reach out. The local clinic has given up on the kid, and I had no one else to turn to but you, Vivienne." Without hesitation, Vivienne

anytime, Vivienne. I

responded, "I'm free today,

rush.

headed

whipping up her favorite dish, donned in

"Mr. Wolf, have I been neglecting you these past days? You've been handling everything on your own, even cooking daily." Percival

eyebrow, "Didn't I please you the

glancing sideways, "Was it just me who was

for three days. Are you planning to make up for the last

many ways to interpret words. Maybe you should reflect on whether your past actions led her to think that way." Caught off guard, Percival washed his hands, turned around, and lifted her onto the kitchen island,

bit her lip, suddenly finding the once domestic Mr. Wolf

to escape, "Mr.

kiss, leaving her dazed, whispering,

Vivienne was speechless.

had picked

she saw Percival in the living room, phone

as she dried

taking the towel to dry her hair, "I've

nodded, "It's fine, I'll

for me. And remind that boy Thaddeus to

at the

up together, would he regret his current stance years down the

and retorted, "Mr. Wolf, how can you be so sure

but she

nose, "You're so biased, my dear. Thaddeus is your brother, but doesn't Isolde feel

exactly why

Percival was left speechless.

had a way of catching him