The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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Chapter 13

Vivienne’s gaze darkened slightly as she fixed him with a cold stare before finally taking a seat across

from him.

Then she turned to the waiter, “I’ll have one of everything… the most expensive stuff you’ve got.”

The waiter was taken aback for a moment, then gently reminded her, “Miss, we have over a hundred

dishes here and none of them are cheap. It’s just the two of you. Isn’t that going to be a bit much?”

Vivienne looked up, her red lips curling into a faint smile. Her delicate fingers pointed at Percival across

the table, her voice melodious, “Bring us your top three signature dishes first. The rest can be packed

up and sent to Tranquil Estates. He’ll pick up the tab.”

The waiter couldn’t help but look at Percival. A smirk tugged at Percival’s lips as he pulled out a bank

card and handed it to the waiter, “Do what she says.” With a nod, the waiter walked away.

Soon all three signature dishes were served. Without any hesitation, Vivienne picked up her cutlery and

began to eat.

Percival poured her a drink, then filled his own glass with wine, raising it in a toast, “Ms. Hawthorn, I am

grateful for your help back in Emerald Mountain.”

He never got the chance to repay her. He could pretty much guess that as soon as he mentioned

repayment, she would demand the cancellation of their engagement as her reward.

Vivienne’s beautiful eyes lit up with amusement, narrowing into a slit as she laughed, “As for the

repayment, just cancel our engagement.” Percival nearly lost control of his expression.

“I do owe you a favor.” Percival took a sip of his wine, his voice smooth and lingering, “Maybe I could

offer myself as payment. How’s that?” “Not interested.”

Vivienne looked him up and down. He was handsome, just a bit shameless.

“Well then…” Percival took out the pendant again, his fingers gently caressing it, still wearing that

gentle expression, “how about using this pendant to secure our engagement?”

Vivienne’s face darkened, a chill settling in, “Are you threatening me?”

“It’s a repayment.” The smile on Percival’s lips grew wider, “Good deeds should be rewarded. I found

your pendant. Don’t you think you should repay me?” Vivienne had the urge to punch Percival. If she

had known he was such a scoundrel, she would have left him to be dog food back in Emerald

Mountain. She raised her eyes to look at him, then suddenly laughed, “This pendant isn’t that important

to me. If you don’t want to give it back, then just throw it away.”

Percival’s lips twitched at the corners, this girl… was a hard nut to crack. He placed the pendant in front

of Vivienne, “I have one of these pendants too.”

Vivienne suddenly looked up, her expression stern as she stared at him. “How did you get this

pendant?”

The only people who had this pendant were her and her deceased mother. But after her mother’s

death, while sorting through her belongings, she found her mother’s pendant missing. She

remembered the news she had received, that after her mother’s death, Percival had also went to their

home, looking for something.

Was he looking for a person or a thing?

Vivienne’s gaze darkened, an aura of threat radiating from her. If this pendant didn’t belong to Vivienne,

he wouldn’t insist on keeping the engagement. Just because he had found her pendant, and she was

his fiancee, the Hawthorn family’s lady, they couldn’t cancel the engagement.

Vivienne looked down at the pendant on the table, seemingly deep in thought. After a while, she

collected the pendant, saying, “I will reconsider this

matter.”

“Alright,” Percival smiled gently, “I’ll wait for your decision.”

Vivienne didn’t say anything more and got up to leave, but Percival seemed to suddenly remember

something and asked, “One more thing, I need your help to save my sister.”

Vivienne’s eyes narrowed slightly, her lips curving into a wicked smile, “Mr. Ellington, do you think

because I saved you, I’m some kind of saint?”

Just as Percival was about to speak, Vivienne suddenly leaned in close, her face just a foot away from

his, a small dagger suddenly appearing in her hand, pressed against his throat. Her lips brushed his

ear, her voice sounding like a siren, “I can save you, but I can also kill you.”

Her warm breath tickled his ear, making his blood run hot. Percival’s body tensed, his long fingers

rested on the sharp dagger, he gently took it away from his neck, leaping in to close the distance

between them, “Vivienne, are you trying to kill your fiance?”

Vivienne’s cheeks flushed at his sudden closeness, her eyes avoiding his, appearing somewhat

uncomfortable.

Percival’s hand wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her even closer, his voice deep and

captivating, “I still have some fight in me. Do you really want to kill me?”

His voice was like a spell; especially his eyes, they were like a jolt to Vivienne’s heart.

What was happening!?

After a moment, she felt frustrated with herself. She, who was usually so composed, had unknowingly

fallen into his trap. She stood up, putting some distance between them, slowly sheathing her dagger,

“You’re too good–looking. It would be such a waste if I killed you.”

Percival’s smile deepened, “So Vivienne, will you help me save my sister? I promise there will be a

reward.”

Vivienne composed herself, smiling slightly, “You’ve got the wrong person. I don’t have any medical

skills. Someone else treated your injuries that day!” Percival was stunned. Before he could respond,

Vivienne spoke, “As for whether we cancel the engagement, it depends on your behavior

12.50

With that, she turned and left.

Vivienne hopped off the cab back at Tranquil Estates. She barely stepped foot in the neighborhood

when she spotted Dorian and Cordelia bolting towards her car, looking panicked.

“Quick, to Eastern Star Nursery…”

Vivienne furrowed her brows, stepping out of the car. “Dad, what’s going on?”

Dorian suddenly turned his head and, upon seeing Vivienne, froze in place. “Vivienne?”

Vivienne nodded, “Where are you rushing off to?”

“Your brother’s school called. He got into a fight with some kids and hurt someone, and they want us

there ASAP.”

Tears welled up in Cordelia’s eyes, “Thaddeus is usually such a good kid, timid too, but then he

suddenly threw a punch, I’m really worried.”

Dorian turned to Vivienne, “Vivienne, you go home, Cordelia and I will go to the school.”

Vivienne’s expression darkened. After a slight pause, she softly said, “Let’s go together.”

Eastern Star Nursery.

Principal’s office.

“This kid is both poor and uneducated. We shouldn’t let him into our school.”

As Vivienne and the others reached the door, they heard a shrill and biting voice. Dorian might be a bit

soft–spoken, but he fiercely protected his own kids. He especially couldn’t stand someone bad

mouthing his kids. As soon as he heard this, he blew his top, bursting through the door, “Who are you

calling uneducated?”