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."

disdainful look, "I am a doctor, whom are

said, "Right, how

on the head, "If I'm checking anyone, it should be you, for your

weakly requested from

voice was soft,

wanted them

"Vivienne, we're sorry, punish us

"You're blocking Vivienne's access

The group fell silent.

pregnancy really

the air

seeing Vivienne's reaction. If she asked them to hold their breath, they would

felt better and managed

meter away, not

up, meeting Vivienne's cool gaze, and instantly felt defeated, "Vivienne, I didn't mean to, the news just shocked us

they hadn't acted rashly, or they would have been the ones under scrutiny

didn't intend

that they knew, there was no point in hiding it, "It doesn't matter who's at fault. I didn't want

importantly, to protect

know, just

The group nodded vigorously.

promised, "Vivienne, it won't

let Mr. Wolf suffer any injustice over this. Realizing Vivienne's point, Dawson turned to Percival, hesitating before finally admitting

"Brother-in-law!

waving it off, "No harm done. Just be more cautious

Dawson remained silent.

Who were they kidding?

Vivienne's sake, he

are you

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

asked, "Vivienne, you're here too... Why do you look so pale,

thinking, "Griffin, Vivienne,

brother covered his mouth,

Vivienne's feeling a bit under the weather, but she'll be fine, nothing to worry

I think Leopold's just a

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

speak, managed to say, "Brother Six, I'm going to