The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Before Leopold could finish his thought, Vivienne shot him a look that could only be described as seeing an utter fool, prompting him to fall silent.

He coughed awkwardly, "Vivienne, you've got it all wrong. I was just worried about Richard. He's always been the picture of health; his sudden illness might be hiding something, don't you think?" Vivienne didn't argue this time.

Mr. Wolf's voice over the phone didn't carry any urgency, so it likely wasn't anything serious.

The Ellington Estate.

As Vivienne stepped out of the car, she insisted Leopold head back, choosing to enter the mansion alone.

In the grand foyer, Flynn Ellington and Cecilia were dressed to the nines, seemingly having rushed back from an event.

Upon seeing Vivienne, they hurried over, Flynn taking her hands, "Vivienne, you're here."

Vivienne nodded, greeting Flynn and Cecilia, "Dad, Mom, how's Grandpa doing?"

Cecilia was still in a daze, having just finished a gala out of town when they received a call about the patriarch's conflict that nearly led to him fainting on the spot. They had rushed back immediately. Flynn approached, "Percival managed to get him to take his medicine; he should be fine now."

Hearing this, Vivienne replied, "I'll go see him."

Inside Richard's room, Percival was sitting, enduring Richard's constant groans and sighs without a word of truth.

It seemed elders could be as stubborn as children, something Vivienne hadn't expected to witness with her own grandfather. He clearly had something on his mind but refused to speak up. Percival checked the time; he'd been there for an hour since leaving his company, wondering where Vivienne was.

"Mr. Wolf."

Just as he was pondering, Vivienne appeared behind him, prompting a smile from Percival as he stood to greet her, "Vivienne."

Richard's complaints paused at the sound of Vivienne's voice, his ears perking up. After a while, feeling ignored, he let out a loud, "Ouch!"

Vivienne struggled to hold back a laugh at the robust complaint.

She signaled Mr. Wolf to stay quiet, indicating she would handle it.

Vivienne feigned concern, "Grandpa, where does it hurt? Let me check

eyes, his voice suddenly weak, "Vivienne, dear, I'm alright. Just the frailty of old age, a small illness feels like it could be the end of me."

who

"Grandpa, extend your hand. Maybe I

as ever, caught the underlying meaning

from voicing his troubles to his

seeing through him, exchanged a glance with Percival, who reluctantly left the

back to Richard, Vivienne spoke calmly, "Grandpa, we're family. Just speak

front of Mr. Wolf must involve her

expression darkened,

asking, "Grandpa, who

the retirement home! Always bragging about their great-grandchildren. When I called them out, they dared to mock the Ellington family for only having one branch left. I gave them a piece of my mind." Vivienne was

a bit of

hurry to see a new generation?" she asked

shaking his head frantically, "Vivienne, dear, I didn't mean... You've just married, take your time,

Vivienne didn't press further.

prefer a

calm demeanor as if trying to confirm he

felt his blood

He couldn't have misheard.

to have his wish seemingly granted on a

Wolf and I aren't planning to announce just yet. We hope you can keep it a

fervently, "Of course, of

them there was

from leaving, "Hold

visit; at

the kitchen prepare

taken aback by