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."

gave him a disdainful look, "I am a

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

was soft, everyone

them

sorry, punish us however you see fit, just don't

stated, "You're blocking Vivienne's

The group fell silent.

pregnancy really

the air wasn't

no one dared to disobey, especially after seeing Vivienne's reaction. If she asked them to hold their

better and managed to

group stood a meter away, not daring

I didn't mean to, the news just shocked us too much, we didn't know how

acted rashly, or they would have been the ones

intend to

hiding it, "It doesn't matter who's at fault.

importantly, to protect

you know, just keep

The group nodded vigorously.

promised, "Vivienne,

Vivienne wouldn't let Mr. Wolf suffer any injustice over this. Realizing Vivienne's point, Dawson turned to Percival, hesitating before finally admitting

albeit reluctantly, "Brother-in-law!

be more cautious in the future, to avoid giving

Dawson remained silent.

Who were they kidding?

for Vivienne's sake,

are you doing

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

Why do you look so pale, are

before thinking, "Griffin, Vivienne,

brother

others, blocking Vivienne from view, chimed in, "Sister-in-law, Leopold meant to say Vivienne's feeling a bit under

Leopold's just a bit overwhelmed by

excitement of the engagement party. You'll have to straighten him out

say, "Brother Six, I'm