The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Brody stepped aside, his hand gently cupping Gillian’s cheek, directing her gaze toward the front door.

There, Percival and Vivienne stood, arm in arm, beaming at her with the radiant joy of a blooming bouquet.

Gillian’s eyes widened in disbelief, unable to comprehend the spectacle before her.

What on earth was happening? Hadn't Percival taken the bait already? How could this be? Where in the world was she? With a casual wave, Percival called out to Gillian, “Don’t just hop into a stranger's ride.” With that, he wrapped his arm around Vivienne’s waist, and they strolled away.

Despair engulfed Gillian. It felt like she was staring into an abyss that was her life's end.

But unbeknownst to her, dying wouldn't be easy—not with Brody holding the reins.

Brody fished out a spray bottle from Gillian’s purse, examining it with a smirk, “Whoa, isn’t this the powerful aphrodisiac | whipped up a few years back? Just a drop, and it'll have you in a frenzy of desire.” Swallowing hard, Gillian glared defiantly, “What... what do you plan to do with me? I'm warning you, don’t you dare touch me!” Brody let out a scoff. “Lady, are you for real? Even if | were desperate to hit the sack with you, you'd be the one getting lucky. Where's this confidence coming from?” With that, he sprayed half the bottle on Gillian’s lower body. “I've never seen someone that eager, and I'm curious.” In a mere second, Gillian was writhing in agony, her cries filled with torment. It was hell.

Brody relished her suffering, his gaze shifting to the curious Calista as a wicked idea took root.

“Calista,” he said slyly, “this lady here is crazy about Percival. It's because of her that he ditched you.” Calista’s composure shattered in an instant, and she lunged at Gillian, fists flying. “Vivienne, you bitch, I'm going to kill you!” Lost to reason, Gillian grabbed Calista’s hands, directing them toward herself.

Calista, unhinged, was relentless, nearly tearing Gillian apart.

The operating table was soon drenched in blood. Yet the two women, one crazed, the other delirious, continued their struggle, oblivious to the chaos.

Poor Gillian. Since her arrival in Rivenwood, she had been a constant target of abuse.

Even now, her fate seemed inescapable.

Brody cheered on the sidelines, finding the spectacle immensely entertaining. “Gillian’s gonna make one hell of a vessel!” Meanwhile, Percival and Vivienne had left the YQ Research Center and approached their car.

As Vivienne reached for the car door, Percival grasped her wrist. “I’ve given this car to Brody. Let’s switch to another one.” “You're such a spendthrift,” Vivienne chastised.

If memory served her right, this car was a recent splurge by Percival. When had he becso wasteful? Percival, unfazed by the scolding, disdainfully shed his suit jacket, tossing it along with the car keys onto the hood of the vehicle.

“Gillian’s touched this car and jacket. They're tainted.” Vivienne chuckled. “All this fuss over nothing?” “It’s not nothing,” Percival insisted earnestly.

Anything that other women had touched was no longer fit for his Vivienne. The thought of her being sullied by such contact was repulsive.

Vivienne nodded in agreement. “Alright, we'll do it your way.” As they spoke, Thomas wheeled up another car. “Mr. and Mrs. Ellington, shall we?” Vivienne had barely settled in when her phone rang with an unknown number.

Her number was private, and she rarely received unsolicited calls. Who could it be? After a glance at Percival, she answered on speakerphone, “Who's this?” “Vi... Vivienne, it’s really you! I'm in an M State sanatorium, I...” “Hand it over.” Two voices cthrough the call, one young and anxious, the other frail and unsteady, as if recovering from a serious illness.

Yet, Vivienne found the second voice oddly familiar.

“Carl?” Carl took a moment before saying, “Yes, it’s me, Vivienne. Cquickly, I...” The line went dead before he could finish.

Vivienne redialed, but there was no response.

“Something’s off. Who was that? A sanatorium in M State? Why does that ring a bell?” Vivienne frowned, perplexed. Why would Carl call her, urging her to come? Percival had already started tracking Carl's signal, pinpointing a sanatorium in M State.

“Shall we head out of the country now?” he asked.

Before Vivienne could decide, she dialed Ronald.

“Vivienne, what's up?” Ronald picked up promptly.

“Has Carl reached out to you? Is he awake?” Ronald paused. “Carl's awake? No call from the sanatorium. How did he get through to you?” “I'm not sure, that’s why I'm asking. Haven't you heard anything?” Vivienne pressed, sensing something amiss.

Ronald’s tone grew somber. “I'll call the sanatorium and get back to you. Don’t worry, I'll update you soon.” “Okay.” After the call, Vivienne leaned back into the leather seat, her elegant features clouded with concern, a chill emanating from her as she pondered the mysterious call.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Percival took her hand. “Let's hope—this isn’t the outcwe're looking for.” Vivienne lifted her gaze to meet his deep, penetrating eyes, and suddenly, a smile bloomed across her face, as radiant and dazzling as a field of wildflowers in full spring glory.

Of course! Only Mr. Wolf truly got her.

With just one glance, Mr. Wolf could decipher the whirlwind of thoughts racing through her mind.

Vivienne rolled down the car window, taking in the stream of vehicles outside with a languid ease. “Speople are just too comfortable, aren't they?” Was it possible that her temper had mellowed since being with Mr. Wolf, leading certain people to believe she had lost her edge? How amusing! Soon after, Ronald returned her call.

“Vivienne, I've looked into it. Carl's indeed caround, but for sreason, he’s been acting off since waking up. The folks at the sanatorium are at a loss about what to do. And there's another guy hanging around him; not sure what his deal is. I've booked a flight to head over there; don’t worry.” In her typically cool manner, Vivienne replied, “I'm coming with you.” “Alright, then I'll book tickets for us both.”