The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Yorick chuckled, "I was beginning to think you'd never ask."

Vivienne frowned, "What's up with Winston?"

As soon as Yorick heard her, he knew she was overthinking. He waved his hand to reassure her, "He's fine. After the ordeal with the Wright family, your folks decided to enroll him in a prestigious boarding school." Vivienne looked surprised, "He agreed to that?"

Yorick nodded, clearly impressed, "Despite being only five, the kid's got a good head on his shoulders. He seems to grasp the gist of what's been happening at home, so he didn't hesitate much when it came to switching schools." Vivienne pursed her lips in response.

With the Wright family's influence in Rivenwood now a thing of the past, a change of scenery might actually do Winston some good.

Besides, the Linklater family had taken care of the introductions. Even the most gossip-hungry parents wouldn't dare bring up the past in front of their kids.

Vivienne left with the letter in hand.

Before she left, she assured Yorick that Uncle Maddox's situation with Mr. Wolf would be handled and wouldn't bother him anymore.

Yorick's smile hid a sigh of relief.

The Perez family, Sasha's side, was also his in-laws. Despite their drama, he couldn't just kick them out.

Percival entered just as Vivienne was sharing the news about her parents.

He wrapped his arms around her and led her into the room, "I've already taken care of Uncle Maddox's issue. No need for the folks to rush back."

Vivienne was stunned, "Mr. Wolf, how did you manage to convince Uncle Maddox?"

She knew Uncle Maddox well. Being quite similar to her own mother, it wouldn't have been easy to persuade him unless Mr. Wolf had offered something substantial in return. But to Uncle Maddox, nothing could outweigh his affection for Willa...

What had Mr. Wolf done?

Percival took off his coat and sanitized his hands before sitting down with Vivienne on the couch, murmuring, "It was simple. I addressed the root of the issue." "The root?"

Vivienne squinted, immediately catching on to Mr. Wolf's strategy, "Don't tell me you managed to sway Willa?"

Percival, not denying it, made Vivienne more comfortable as he followed her line of thought, "Everyone has their weaknesses. You know what Willa values the most." Vivienne, "..."

Willa's top priority was her mother's happiness. If her mom was happy, so was Willa.

heart to weaken

a masterstroke by Mr. Wolf, though it meant someone had to swallow their pride. "It's unfair to

was unmatched, especially concerning pivotal life

I arranged for Uncle Maddox to have the engagement ceremony abroad, timed with our parents' European trip. This

more could she

Mr. Wolf handling things, she had nothing

had been out of

thought, Percival offered

but she found herself not minding

she took another, summarizing the information

held the bag of sour plums

hidden within the Wright family,"

because of a secret deal with

look into it

into him, "You're not too

tapping her nose, "If I had to personally sign off on everything, it'd only show how incompetent a

trained was far from just

eyebrow,

a smile,

in the company. How about, after we wrap this up, we retire from

she asked, "Retire sounds good, but are you sure we won't clash running a business together?" Percival, adoringly stroking her stomach, assured, "Our

her eyes

managing her business affairs, but the bank statements

ninety percent of Mr. Wolf's earnings were being deposited into

bank transactions

given her

Vivienne listened to Draven's report over the phone, passing on the items she had just received to her mentor

had been investigating

stored

circles of those with ancient warrior heritage, and it quickly faded away. There wasn't a single trace

The next morning,

whipped up breakfast, and then headed to the bedroom, apron still tied around his waist. Vivienne was still deep in sleep on the bed. As Percival's presence neared,

before she turned over with a frown,