The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Eliza had just tucked Wendy in when she bolted out the door.

“Hold on a sec, Percival!” she called out.

Percival was about to slide into his car when he heard his nbeing called. He turned around and asked, “What?” Eliza tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Percival, we haven't had a proper chat in ages. Can we catch up the day after tomorrow, maybe over dinner?” Percival squinted slightly. “What's on your mind, Eliza?” She chuckled awkwardly, “I just wanted to talk to you about your mother, my sister, you know?” Percival gazed at Eliza, his thoughts concealed by the dim light around them.

After a moment, he said with a deep voice, “Day after tomorrow it is.” Eliza then pulled out something from her pocket, handed it to Percival without explanation, and headed back to the Boyd residence.

In the car, Vivienne sniffed the object curiously.

It was an antidote for slove potion! “Why did she give you this?” Vivienne was puzzled.

Could it be that Eliza, a member of the Boyd family, did not want Gillian to marry into Percival? Percival chuckled. “She probably wants to curry favor.” Vivienne nodded in understanding. “So, are you going to accept this favor or not?” “Absolutely,” Percival said, wrapping his arm around viviEhe and rubbing her shoulder, “It wouldn't be fun otherwise. Can’t be completely uninvolved with the Boyds during this time.” Percival had cto Sea City on a mission, and getting close to the Boyds was just a cover.

He needed to entangle himself with them when necessary to mask his true purpose better.

Now that his enemies were hidden and he was exposed, he had to tread carefully.

This was also why Percival had agreed to dine with Gillian the next day. Gillian was a crucial player in his mission and had to be handled with care.

Vivienne rested in Percival’s embrace, observing the scheming look in his eyes.

“Mr. Wolf, what are you plotting now?” Percival snapped back to reality, pinched Vivienne’s face playfully, and said deliberately, “I'm thinking about how to properly attend to the matriarch tonight to ensure her satisfaction.” Suddenly, Thomas slammed on the brakes so hard he nearly flew out of his seat! “Sorry, Percival, a cat just dashed across the road.” “My goodness, are Percival and his lady now discussing such explosive topics? This isn’t a mission — it's a honeymoon! Leopold Sterling, | demand a task swap. I'd rather guard Griffin's bomb factory and get blown to bits if | have to!” He thought.

Thomas discreetly lowered the privacy screen in the car, thinking maybe Maddox should consider a new driver for Vivienne and Percival.

Vivienne’s cheeks turned crimson. She had only been teasing Mara, after all.

Who knew he would take her literally? Percival watched the flushed face on his lap, felt a stir in his heart, and leaned down to kiss the blushing cheeks.

At the Perez Mansion.

“You mean that Vivienne has arrived in Sea City?” Diana Perez was having dinner when she overheard the servants discussing Juliet’s reassignment.

One nodded. “Yes, she has arrived. Master Maddox mentioned she’s busy and might not visit the Perez family. He said not to prepare or disturb her.” Diana clenched her fork tightly. Despite her years with the Perez family, she had never received such attention from her brothers.

A mere foster granddaughter was getting all the adoration! Just yesterday, she had called Jasper to check in, and all he talked about was his foster granddaughter.

It was maddening! Diana nearly bent her fork before regaining her composure and smiling. “Vivienne’s here, and | really should visit her. Please ask Maddox where she’s staying when you have a moment.” The next morning, Percival was awakened by a frantic call from Mara.

“It's terrible, Percival! Grandma's back is acting up after the water ceremony yesterday. She’s bedridden and can’t get up. What should we do?” Mara’s sobs were so intense one might think it was a life-or-death situation.

Percival got out of bed, missing the warmth of Vivienne next to him, which only added to his frustration.

Juliet could be too efficient sometimes; she had cleared his room in just one day.

He did not mind sharing the sprawling king-sized bed with Vivienne.

When Percival remained silent, Mara grew even more frantic, “Percival, are you listening? I'm beside myself here.

The doctor said Grandma might be bedridden forever, all because of that Vivienne.” “Mara Boyd, Vivienne isn’t someone you should talk about like that.” Hearing Percival use her full name, Mara was taken aback.

They had always been close, and he had always called her Mara. His sternness, especially over Vivienne, stunned her.

The thought made Mara seethe with resentment.

On the other side of the room, Hayden took the phone and said, “Percival, it’s Uncle Hayden. Your grandma’s situation is definitely because of Vivienne. We all know she’s the matriarch, but con, Grandma's an elder.

You can’t treat an old lady like that, can you? She's quite a prominent figure, you know. If word gets out, it won't sound too good. What do you think?” Percival sat up from his bed, “So, what are you saying? Are you trying to threaten me?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“That's not what | meant. You don’t have to visit since you've got bigger fish to fry. Gillian from the Ashford family has already been in touch, and standing her up wouldn't be polite. But you need to have Vivienne look after your grandma. | heard she’s got one of those Specter Healer bracelets; she also gave one to your granddad. I'm wondering if there's another one lying around for your grandma. That way, no one can gossip.” Percival cracked a slight smile. The Boyds were really something.

Were they afraid Vivienne would cause a scene at the diner with Gillian and were just looking for an excuse to keep her away? He got out of bed, knocked on Vivienne’s door, and then pushed it open.

Vivienne was still lying in bed. Hearing the noise, she sleepily sat up and kissed Percival’s lips.

The sound, clear as day, traveled down the phone line to the entire Boyd family.

Hayden frowned. “Percival, make sure you pass my message to Vivienne. If she doesn’t show, | can’t promise nothing will happen.” With that, Hayden hung up.

Vivienne leaned on Percival’s shoulder, rubbing her tired eyes. “What's up?” Percival wrapped his arms around her, slowly stroking her hair as he repeated Hayden's words.

Vivienne instantly perked up, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “I just love taking care of the sick.” Watching Vivienne’s expression, Percival could already imagine the interesting events that were about to unfold at the Boyd Mansion.

He playfully tapped her nose. “Yeah, you're the best at taking care of the sick.”