The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Leopold spun around and caught Vivienne’s gaze resting on him with a profound intensity.

He was taken aback. Why was Vivienne looking at him like that?

Had he misspoken?

If he found out who the hell had brought Griffin to a joint like this, he would break the bastard’s legs!

Griffin shot him an indescribable look and pointed at Vivienne. “Vivienne brought me here. This dude,

she’s the one who introduced us.”

Leopold was dumbstruck.

Holy shit!

Was it too late to make a run for it?

What was wrong with Griffin?

Why did she not say Vivienne was the one who brought her here sooner?

This was a disaster!

Leopold’s gaze shifted, and then he turned on the charm, looking at Vivienne. “Vivienne, fancy seeing

you here! Need a refill? Tonight’s on me. Have a blast.”

He paused, then added, “But I’ll take this gentleman with me. A high-class lady like yourself shouldn’t

be slumming it with these bozos.”

Vivienne reclined in her chair, arms crossed, a smirk playing on her lips. “Oh? Since when do you get a

say in who this jerk drinks with?”

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Leopold dropped to his knees.

He was on the verge of tears. “Vivienne, I didn’t mean it. I wasn’t calling you out!”

Vivienne casually cleaned her ears, then turned to Griffin. “Do I have a problem with my hearing?”

Griffin, ever so earnest, replied, “Not at all.”

Vivienne turned back to Leopold, silent.

Leopold was screwed.

“Griffin, whose side are you even on?” He shouted inwardly.

Griffin was obviously on Vivienne’s side.

Leopold offered a sheepish grin. “Look, I misspoke. Can we just let bygones be bygones?”

Vivienne remained silent.

Leopold went on, “I’ve come into some money recently. How about I treat you?”

Still no response from Vivienne.

Leopold, getting desperate, tried another angle. “I’ll cover your strawberry cheesecake fix for the next

few months?”

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Vivienne did not budge an inch.

Leopold was out of options.

He stood up, grabbed a beer bottle, and, without a second thought, cracked it over his own head with a

‘thud.’

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He then looked at Vivienne, dead serious. “I’m sorry, Vivienne. Truly.”

Vivienne was speechless.

So was Griffin.

Dawson, not far off, was equally stunned.

The guy next to Leopold could not believe his eyes.

This kid was hardcore!

Vivienne pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling an overwhelming urge to boot Leopold out of her

circle.

Was he missing a few screws?

Making a scene like this in front of everyone?

Was he trying to paint her as a tyrant?

And more importantly, she had not spoken because she wanted to see what Leopold would offer next.

Instead, he had gone and given himself a concussion!

Now, with several pairs of eyes on her, she felt a surge of frustration she could not release.

She tossed a pack of tissues at Leopold. “Clean yourself up, for heaven’s sake. You’re embarrassing

yourself.”

Leopold chuckled nervously, wiped off the booze, and sidled up to Vivienne. “We good now?”

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He was used to tagging along on missions with Percival, facing all kinds of danger. During training, they

would smash bricks on their heads, not just bottles. This was child’s play for him.

The main thing was to cool down Vivienne.

Vivienne ignored him.

Seeing that Vivienne was not angry anymore, Leopold ventured, “Look, Vivienne, why drag Griffin to a

dive like this? Look at that guy; he’s clearly up to no good.”

Vivienne tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and clamped a hand on Leopold’s shoulder. “I

was playing Cupid for Griffin. She’s met too few guys. Once she’s got a boyfriend, she’ll stop pining

after you.”

Leopold was in disbelief. “You never said that before!”

Vivienne snorted. “You’re my protégé. I wouldn’t let you be mistreated. The person you don’t want to

marry—I’m not going to force you. Now get out of here and have fun. Griffin’s my responsibility.”

“Vivienne…”

“Beat it!”

Leopold bolted.

At the booth, the man whose wrist Leopold had nearly crushed rubbed it gingerly. “Ma’am, is that the

hotshot leader of the first squad, Husky, the captain we were talking about? I’d rather not get assigned

to that squad.”

“Good luck with that,” Vivienne chuckled, raising her glass. “Carry on; the show must go on.”

The table erupted in laughter and chatter while Leopold’s mood plummeted.

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He stewed for a bit, then sent a video to Percival, and added: [Percival, look at this. Vivienne is at a bar

with Griffin, hunting for guys!]

Soon, Percival’s three-word response came through: [I am aware.]

Leopold could not believe it. [You knew and didn’t come over?]

After a few seconds, a flurry of messages from Percival appeared.

[She’s free to find guys. Once she’s had her fun, she’ll still be my Vivienne.]

[Men should be magnanimous. This is Vivienne’s typical social life, and I support it.]

[Remember, she’s doing this to save you from Griffin—to make her not yours.]

[Don’t forget to bow down and thank my Vivienne later!]

Leopold was on the verge of a breakdown, especially after reading “to make her not yours.”

He stared at his phone for a long, long time.

No way!

Absolutely not!

Leopold sprang to his feet and headed straight for Griffin’s table.

But they were gone!

Dawson barely held back his laughter. “They left together about a minute ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Leopold roared and dashed outside.

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…

Outside the bar.

Percival had Vivienne wrapped in his arms.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for

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Across the way, Griffin was about to leave with that man.

Leopold yanked Griffin to his side with a jerk. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Griffin, slightly tipsy, blinked and said with a slurred voice, “The cute guy’s gonna walk me home.”

“But your place is strictly no guys allowed!” Leopold roared, his patience wearing thin.

“He’s different,” Griffin giggled, followed by a perfectly timed burp.

Leopold, his teeth practically itching with irritation, shot a deadly glare at the guy who was waiting to

escort Griffin home. “Beat it!”

The guy jumped at Leopold’s command, his eyes flickering towards Percival for some sort of

confirmation.

With a silent nod from Percival, the guy bolted out of there as his life depended on it.

“Vivienne, Percival, I’ll take her home,” Leopold declared, pulling Griffin towards his car.

From behind the bar’s entrance, Dawson emerged, laughing so hard his stomach hurt.

“Vivienne, I swear we don’t need to work this hard. The guy’s practically walking into the trap himself.”

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As he spoke, Dawson’s gaze landed on Vivienne, freezing as he saw Percival’s audacity. “Percival,

back off!”

Dare he put his hands on Vivienne’s waist? He’s got a death wish!

Percival just smiled and planted a kiss on Vivienne’s cheek. “Vivienne, I’ll wait for you in the car.”

Oh, hell no!

Dawson’s fists clenched, ready to hurl at Percival, when Vivienne’s glance stopped him cold.

“Vivienne, he…”

“Next time, you might want to call him brother-in-law,” Vivienne cut in coolly, her gaze sharp. “Did you

have something to tell me?”

Dawson deflated, his anger ebbing away. “Yeah, my aunt wants to invite you for dinner tomorrow. Are

you free?”

Vivienne lowered her gaze thoughtfully. “I am.”

A smile broke on Dawson’s face. “Great, I’ll swing by your place to pick you up.”

“No need,” Vivienne waved dismissively. “Your brother-in-law will be picking me up.”

Brother-in-law…

In-law…

Law…

Dawson felt like he was about to lose his mind.

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