The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Seeing his apprentice lunge forward without a second thought, Finnian's face darkened instantly, and he rebuked sharply, "Dawson, let go!"

"But Master, Vivienne, she="

"I said let go!"

Vivienne glanced around, her gaze finally resting on Leopold, who had even joined the fray at his own engagement party, causing her temples to throb with tension.

She simply said to Dawson, "Dawson, this is Leopold's engagement party!"

Her tone was mild but unmistakably final.

Dawson hesitated, then released Percival.

The expressions of those around them shifted in response.

Finnian looked at his disciples, who had been ready to brawl moments ago, and scolded, "Is this how I taught you manners? Vivienne has her reasons for acting this way. This isn't your place to intervene."

The group fell silent, not out of disagreement with their master but because Vivienne was upset.

To outsiders, her mood might not be apparent, but to them, it was as clear as day.

Finnian was about to add more when he heard Vivienne suddenly gag beside him. Then, she bent over and started to vomit.

"Vivienne!"

Percival rushed to her side, holding one hand while gently patting her back with the other.

The sudden turn of events left everyone else frozen in shock.

"Vivienne, are you okay?"

Eric, the fourth in line, blurted out, "Gary, Thomas, go get some water."

Donald, the sixth, corrected him, "Forget the water, grab a damp cloth and some antacids."

Gary, repeating the items listed by Eric and Donald, turned around, then paused, realizing something was off, "Wait, Vivienne's pregnant, we need a doctor."

Leopold agreed, nodding vigorously, "Yeah, yeah, you're right, Gary, we should call a doctor."

Finnian couldn't believe what he was hearing. Had he really assembled such a clueless group over the years?

In a panic, Leopold almost bumped into his master, "Master, excuse me, I need to fetch a doctor."

am a doctor, whom are you planning

stunned, then excitedly said, "Right, how could I forget? Please, check

smacked him on the head, "If I'm checking

by the noise, weakly requested from Mr. Wolf's embrace, "Make

soft, everyone

wanted them to

they quickly pleaded, "Vivienne, we're sorry, punish us however you see fit, just don't

the commotion, stated, "You're blocking Vivienne's access

The group fell silent.

pregnancy really that

the air

disobey, especially after seeing Vivienne's reaction. If she asked them to hold their breath, they would do so without

soon felt better and managed to sit up

a meter away,

gaze, and instantly felt defeated, "Vivienne, I didn't mean to, the news just shocked us too much, we didn't

they would have been the ones

intend to

news, by now that they knew, there was no point in hiding it, "It doesn't matter who's

to protect

you know, just keep it

The group nodded vigorously.

also promised, "Vivienne, it

suffer any injustice over this. Realizing Vivienne's point, Dawson turned to Percival, hesitating before finally admitting his fault, "I was wrong..." Vivienne intervened, "Mr. Wolf and I are legally married. Whatever you call me,

grimace, Dawson complied, albeit reluctantly, "Brother-in-law! I shouldn't have confronted you.

responded generously, waving it off, "No harm done. Just be more cautious in the

Dawson remained silent.

Who were they kidding?

sake,

are you doing

gracefully, first greeting Finnian, then turning to call Leopold, only to notice Vivienne surrounded

you're here too... Why do

out before thinking, "Griffin, Vivienne, she's

brother covered his mouth,

Leopold meant to say Vivienne's feeling

Leopold's just a bit overwhelmed by today's engagement

joked, "Must be the excitement of the engagement

speak, managed to say,