The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne blinked, not a hint of hesitation in her eyes as she leaned in and captured those plush, ruby lips with her own.

It did not matter how many kisses it took.

To score a kiss from Mr. Wolf and savor a slice of strawberry shortcake—what could be better? This was a win-win if there ever was one! Back in the car, their personal driver, Leopold, and the ever-watchful bodyguard, Anna, seemed to materialize from thin air, taking their respective places without a word.

Vivienne indulged in her shortcake blissfully while Percival contentedly watched her enjoy every bite.

The atmosphere was surprisingly harmonious.

Leopold glanced at them through the rear-view mirror and lowered the privacy screen discreetly.

Out of sight, out of mind! After finishing her dessert, Vivienne peered through a gap in the curtain at Anna and inquired, “What's up with Husky again?” “Samoyed isn’t answering her phone,” Anna said dryly, propping herself against the car window.

Caught between the two couples day in, day out—it was downright exhausting! She should have joined Thomas in handling the Ashford family factory affairs.

Vivienne knew all too well that ever since Griffin had gotten her hands on that new bomb prototype, she had vanished into her lab, immersing herself in work mode with no tfor romantic distractions.

Work and love—she kept them separate with precision. x] “Are we heading back to Rivenwood now? Does Griffin know?” Percival asked.

Leopold pulled the car over, lifted the screen with due solemnity, and declared, “Percival, you're right. We need to inform her posthaste. Let's go!” Anna casually interjected, “Thomas said Griffin told us to head back first. She'll catch up after wrapping up her research. Oh, and she’ll be bringing Thomas with her.” Though the Ashford family factory issue had been resolved, GTO’s virus research base in Sea City remained a loose end.

Percival had tasked Thomas to stay behind in Sea City under the guise of guarding the new bomb prototype, continuing the covert investigation.

Meanwhile, he would handle headquarters affairs in Ravenwood.

Silence fell inside the car. Percival purposefully drew the curtain again, wrapping an arm around Vivienne as they drove off, carefree and content.

Anna turned her gaze to the scenery outside the window.

“Yes, this is nice,” She thought.

Leopold clenched his jaw.

What was going on now? Thomas again! That traitor had been in touch with Griffin behind his back! “Just you wait!” He cursed inwardly.

Leopold floored the accelerator, channeling all his frustration as if the pedal were Thomas's head.

Vivienne could not help but muse—she had not noticed how close Thomas had gotten to Griffin.

She glanced up at Percival.

He nodded, whispering, “We've got to give our scientists sperks.” She knew it! Percival had his fingerprints all over this.

But perhaps it was for the best. Without a little crisis, Leopold would never learn to appreciate what he had.

Just then, Vivienne’s phone buzzed, showing a map with a single marked location.

She recognized it as a tip from Quincy about a GTO stronghold in Sea City.

She forwarded the map to Thomas, telling him to back up Quincy if needed.

But the next image she received was unexpected. It was not from Quincy, just two words—Stay out.

Vivienne frowned. Was this another cryptic message from that mysterious informant? Somewhere in Sea City, Quincy lay bloodied and barely breathing on the ground. The door burst open, and in walked a pair of red stilettos. The owner sat across from Quincy, legs crossed like a fashion model, tapping her foot on the floor.

“Quincy, who leaked Patrick's factory location? Have you figured it out?” The woman asked.

Quincy caught her breath and looked up, unable to see the woman's face clearly.

Struggling to sit up, her blurred vision making it impossible to open her eyes fully, she gasped. “I don’t know... | only found out that Percival has been tracking Gillian’s whereabouts.” After a moment, Quincy's vision cleared enough to recognize the woman.

It was Vivienne! “How did you... Why are you here?” Quincy stumbled backward in disbelief.

No, this person could not be Vivienne. Vivienne could not possibly be here.

Quincy drew her concealed pistol and pointed it at the woman. “Why are you here? Aren't you Percival’s fiancée?” “Vivienne” chuckled. “Or | should call you Barnaby; why so agitated? | cafter receiving your message. Don’t you get it?” Quincy gripped the gun tightly, her finger on the trigger without hesitation. A gunshot rang out, but sudden pain shot through her hand, sending the gun clattering to the floor as electricity coursed from her fingertips to her feet.

“You're talking nonsense! Knowing my true ndoesn’t make you trustworthy. Who are you?” Quincy demanded, still eyeing the woman warily.

The woman's smile deepened, a smug grin playing on her lips, “Who am 1? Shouldn't you know by now?” Quincy's eyes widened with disbelief as she stared at this woman. “You... Are you really F-Poison? That's impossible. You've been hiding right under Percival’s nose for so long. He would have caught on. Unless you're not really F-Poison, how could you possibly know about this place?” “Vivienne” had had her fun. She stood up and peeled off the silicone mask that had been concealing her true identity.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“I remember when Belle toldyou were a talent, | had my doubts. But now, it’s clear | was right to think so. All this time, and you never spotted my little cosmetic trick.” Inside, Quincy breathed a sigh of relief. So, it was a disguise, after all.

She had known that even after sending that picture to Vivienne, there was no way she would show up here.

“Who are you, really?” Quincy asked, her eyes taking in the woman's cascading hair, which fell like seaweed over her shoulders, so beautiful it almost did not seem real.

Settling back into her seat, the woman replied with a hint of pride, “I'm your boss, the one and only F-Poison.” F-Poison’s face was shrouded in shadow, making her true appearance indiscernible to Quincy.

Taking a moment to collect herself, Quincy slid down against the wall and removed her own prosthetic mask.

“Turns out you did not notice my little cosmetic trick either. Seems we're even, Boss.” Much to F-Poison’s surprise, Quincy had been more resourceful than she had anticipated. To think she was injured so badly and still managed to pull off a disguise, even fooling her.

“I take back what I said earlier; you are indeed a talent.” F-Poison leaned in, resting her elbows on her knees and cupping her chin in her hands. She closed the distance between them and studied Quincy's face.

“Yeah, this tit's real.” F-Poison seemed genuinely intrigued, reaching out to pinch Quincy's cheek somewhat condescendingly. “I do have a soft spot for little girls, especially the smart ones like you.”