The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Belle was indeed a gem unearthed by the hardworking HR Director of The Ellington Group. Within just

a week, she had delivered the designs to Percival’s office.

Thomas had finished his boot camp training and returned to Percival’s side. “Boss, the design

department’s Belle is waiting outside.”

Percival glanced at the designs in his hand and handed them to Vivienne while saying, “Vivienne, take

a look at these.”

Vivienne flipped through the pages and nodded. “Let her in.”

Belle walked in nervously, stealing glances at Percival and quickly looking away, “Mr. Percival,

Vivienne.”

Vivienne did not look up, simply muttering, “Good design work.”

“Thank you, but it’s still not up to par with your work. I feel something’s off. It doesn’t match the initial

concept. Could you perhaps offer some guidance?”

As Belle spoke, her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Percival.

Vivienne made a few quick annotations on Belle’s design and handed it back.

Belle accepted it with both hands, nodding at Vivienne and then turning to Percival. “Mr. Percival, I plan

to host a launch party next week. We’ll invite Rivenwood’s A-list celebrities and society ladies to create

a buzz for our new line. What do you think?”

Percival barely looked up as he replied, “Mhm.”

Belle pursed her lips and left Percival’s office in silence.



Once the door closed, the timid look on Belle’s face disappeared.

Back in the office, Vivienne’s lips curved into a smile, sensing something amusing afoot.

Percival waved Thomas away, who left discreetly.

Standing up, Percival sat next to Vivienne. “You seem pleased?”

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“Of course, the show’s about to start.”

…

Days later, at the launch party.

The venue was packed with journalists and influencers, all there to hype The Ellington Group’s new

product line.

Many attended voluntarily, for being part of The Ellington Group’s launch was a prestigious affair that

could bring valuable connections to their own ventures.

Percival and Vivienne waited backstage.

Soon, Belle knocked, “Mr. Percival, everything’s set. We can start anytime.”

Percival nodded, straightening his suit. “Vivienne, wait here for me.”

Vivienne acknowledged, her gaze fleetingly brushing over Belle before withdrawing.

Belle’s heart skipped a beat. Had Vivienne noticed something?

Impossible, her disguise was perfect!

Biting her lip, Belle followed Percival out.



As they left, Vivienne received a call from Dorian. “Trouble, Vivienne. Thaddeus has come down with a

stomach bug at the nursery and has been rushed to the hospital. Come quickly.”

“I’m on my way.” Vivienne smiled.

Well-prepared, indeed.

Vivienne slipped out the back as Percival finished his speech onstage.

A waitress handed him a glass of red wine, and amid the media, he could not refuse. Taking a sip, he

felt his vision blur and his breathing tighten. Something was happening to his body, but the subtle

sensations were his alone to perceive.

After giving Thomas some instructions, Percival silently retired to the backstage lounge.

Belle watched from a distance and followed once Percival had left, unaware that a rotund waiter also

trailed behind.

No one in the venue had noticed that the protagonists of this party had disappeared.

In the lounge, Percival found Vivienne absent.

He sat on the sofa, eyes closed, a mask of stoic beauty.

Click!

The door lock was gently picked.

Entering was the dark muzzle of a gun, inching closer to Percival.

Percival’s lips curled slightly, eyes opening, “Mr. B, how do you do?”



Belle was unfazed.

Percival must have realized he was poisoned with Boar Poison and guessed her identity. Not a

surprise.

“Percival, how do you do?” Belle looked down at Percival with arrogance, “Perhaps I misspoke. Given

your condition, you’re hardly well.”

Percival chuckled, “How can you be so sure?”

“Ha, Vivienne’s not here. Who else would cure your poison?”

Since infiltrating the Ellington Group, Belle had been itching to administer Boar Poison to Percival. But

he was always with Vivienne, never allowing an opportunity.

This time, she had managed to send Vivienne away and poison Percival when he was unguarded.

It took some effort.

Percival’s smile deepened, speaking towards the lounge, “Vivienne, she says you’re not here.”

Belle paused, her expression faltering. “What did you say?!”

“He said, you said I wasn’t here.” A voice emerged from the lounge.

Belle’s hand was steady as she aimed the gun at the parlor’s folding screen. With a grace that seemed

to dance on air, Vivienne emerged from the shadows, her sparkling, playful eyes mirroring the same

smirk that Percival often wore.

“How did you? I thought you were gone!” Belle exclaimed in shock.

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

She would not have attempted to poison Percival without being absolutely certain that Vivienne had left

the premises. Everything had to be foolproof.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated

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Vivienne chuckled softly. “You’re right, one Vivienne did indeed leave. Under your watchful eye, she’s

headed straight for my place, except…”

Her lips curled into a mischievous smile. “That person is Ismene.”

Belle cursed under her breath. That explained why she had been unable to locate Ismene or Rowan for

so long; they were under Vivienne’s control the entire time!

With a sigh, Vivienne mockingly chided, “You can’t even recognize your own people, and you’re

supposed to be the GTO’s right-hand woman!”

Grinding her teeth, Belle spat out, “Vivienne, go to hell!”

Her finger squeezed the trigger, but the anticipated gunshot never came.

Instead, Belle suddenly found herself on her knees, coughing up blood.

She looked up at Vivienne in disbelief. “You poisoned me!”

How had Vivienne managed it without her noticing a thing?

“Mhm, Boar Poison,” Vivienne said, a satisfied gleam in her eye.

The poison had been administered the moment Belle walked in, designed to go undetected until it was

too late.

The parlor door swung open just then, and a chubby waiter waddled in.



“Boss, can I get you a drink?”

A flicker of realization crossed Belle’s furrowed brow. Summoning the last of her strength, she grabbed

the waiter, pulling him to the ground. A dagger appeared from her belt, pressing against his carotid

artery.

“Antidote. Now. Or he doesn’t make it out of here alive!”

