The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Fiona’s gaze flitted towards Richard, her eyes betraying panic for the first time.

Richard looked at Fiona with disappointment. “Fiona, you should stay out of the company’s affairs.”

“Grandpa…”

Fiona could not believe it. In less than half an hour, the career she took pride in, which secured her a

place in the prestigious Ellington family, had just vanished.

However, Richard could not be bothered with her and turned to encourage the rest of the guests to

continue the festivities.

“Jasper, let me introduce you to my family,” Vivienne said, guiding Jasper through the introductions to

Dorian’s family and Richard, among others.

After a brief moment of silence, the party resumed its lively atmosphere.

Fiona was left standing alone, ignored by everyone.

A server removed the set of original prototype jewelry she was so proud of under Percival’s orders.

Watching Vivienne chat happily with Richard and Jasper, Fiona clenched her fist tightly.

“Vivienne, Percival, I swear I’ll get my revenge! I’ll kill both of you!” She yelled inwardly.

Suddenly, someone bumped her shoulder, and she found a note and a remote control device in her

hand.

Fiona was stunned but opened the note to read, [Close the door, catch the dog.]

She scanned the room but could not find the person who had given the note to her.

Though she did not want to cause a scene at the party, she knew this was her chance.

Blinded by rage, she did not stop to consider why Vivienne and Percival’s attitudes towards her had

changed so suddenly.

They used to get along so well.

Percival had always respected her as his cousin. But today, his gaze was indifferent, as if she were a

stranger.

Elsewhere, Kenneth was fuming, munching on pastries, and glowering at the sight of Vivienne and

Percival holding hands.

“Aaron, can you do anything about this or not?”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “Do you think I have any reason to take Vivienne away from here?”

Kenneth gritted his teeth. “Follow me! I refuse to believe we can’t split them up.”

With that, Kenneth handed Aaron a glass of wine.

Reluctantly, Aaron followed.

“Grandpa, I want you to meet my good buddy, Aaron. He’s here to wish you a happy birthday,” Kenneth

said, slinging an arm around Aaron’s shoulders to emphasize their close friendship.

Aaron was annoyed but could not push Kenneth away.

He braced himself, saying, “Sir Richard, may you live long and prosper.”

Richard smiled warmly. “You’re the FPP from that championship game, aren’t you? Quite the looker.

You should teach my little grandson here sometime.”

Kenneth blushed. “Grandpa, it’s FMVP, and I don’t need his coaching. I’m way better than him!”

Aaron pinched Kenneth hard, warning him with a glare not to forget their real purpose.

Kenneth cleared his throat and said to Percival, “Bro, I need to talk to you for a sec.”

Aaron chuckled awkwardly, realizing how forced it sounded, but they had no choice.

“Vivienne, I need to discuss something with you as well.”

Vivienne and Percival exchanged a glance, assuming it was team business, and stood to leave with the

two men.

However, to Percival’s surprise, Kenneth led him to a back lounge room filled with beauties!

“Mr. Ellington, nice to meet you.”

Kenneth grinned like a sly pimp. “Bro, they’re all my fans, they…”

With a kick, Percival nearly broke Kenneth’s leg.

“You’re too young to be up to no good. You think I’m giving you this much freedom?” Percival did not

wait for a response and dragged Kenneth out of the lounge room by the ear.

Amid the screams, the beauties were left wondering what to do.

Meanwhile, Aaron, figuring enough time had passed and Percival would be seated by now, knew he

could not dawdle.

Kenneth had mentioned Percival was not interested in other women, and if they took too long, he’d

leave.

“Vivienne, over here, Kenneth’s got something for me.” Without further ado, Aaron led Vivienne towards

the lounge.

Upon opening the door, the women were drinking and eating, with no sign of Percival.

Aaron cursed silently, wondering where Kenneth had gone.

He turned to see Vivienne smirking. “So this is your hobby? Just turned legal, and you’re already

playing this game? And ten at once, no less. Quite the stamina!”

Just as Aaron tried to explain, Kenneth, beaten and barely able to speak, was dragged back by

Percival.

“Vivienne,” Percival called out, his presence as chilling as an iceberg, “Did these two arrange this?”

Vivienne nodded. “Looks like they need a lesson.”

They were too young to be misbehaving. It would be her reputation on the line if word got out.

That simply would not do.

Pride was at stake.

“No, Vivienne, it was Kenneth…”

Before Aaron could finish, Vivienne interjected, “A hundred frog jumps. If you can’t finish, don’t call me

coach!”

Percival tossed Kenneth out as well. “Ringleader—two hundred.”

After that, Percival pulled Vivienne close, saying gently, “Let’s go back to the others. They’re waiting. I’ll

have someone clean up here.”

Vivienne leaned into him. “Sure, let’s go.”

As they walked away, Aaron could not help feeling resentful.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join &

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Kenneth began his frog jumps, nudging Aaron, “Hurry up, didn’t Vivienne say you can’t call her coach if

you don’t finish?”

Kenneth started jumping, but halfway through, he suddenly collapsed.

Aaron thought Kenneth had twisted his ankle and stopped to check on him. “What’s wrong?”

Kenneth was gripping Aaron’s wrist tightly, his eyes wide as saucers. “Wait a second, what did Vivienne

just say you couldn’t call her?”

Aaron deflated. “If I don’t finish the routine, I can’t call her ‘Coach’ anymore.”

“Wait a minute, what do you mean ‘coach’? Don’t tell me she’s the same coach who led you guys to

seven straight championships and now another world title, the legendary coach!”

Kenneth felt like his blood pressure was through the roof.

Aaron looked at Kenneth like he was an alien. “Didn’t your brother tell you? He even made a bet with

her.”

“Holy smokes!” Kenneth bellowed, his entire worldview shattering.

Vivienne was his idol!

As the birthday bash wound down, Vivienne and Percival saw off all the guests and personally escorted

Jasper and his son to the exit.

Jasper and Richard had hit it off, chatting away and even making plans to go hiking the next day.

After exchanging pleasantries for quite some time, they finally left.

Percival was also due to drive Dorian’s family home, so they all headed to the parking lot together.

But just as they were about to enter their cars, Astrid’s vehicle suddenly burst into flames.

Then came the sound of countless bullets raining down!

Vivienne and Percival reacted instantly, shoving Dorian’s family into the car.