The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne sighed deeply as she read the text message screenshot Donald had sent her, feigning distress, thinking, "Seriously, is being this petty absolutely necessary?" Percival's hand had never left her shoulder, so he naturally didn't miss the message popping up on her phone.

Watching another man throw a temper tantrum at his wife, Percival felt the acidic jealousy bubble up inside him. But if one were to trace the root of the issue, it would lead back to one of the infamous tof numbskulls, who had been swaggering around without a care in the world.

Percival's eyes narrowed slightly, sending a shiver down Leopold's spine.

Before he could react, he felt something smack the back of his head, and he spun around, ready to fight, "Who's there? Who dares to hit me? Do you have a death wish..." His threatening words trailed off as he met Percival's icy gaze.

Leopold's normally confident facade crumbled upon seeing Percival.

Awkwardly straightening up, he thought, of course, who else but Vivienne and Percival, the dynamic duo, could be behind him? No one else would dare to mess with him. He should have known better than to get involved with this mess.

Ever since they got married, Percival had been getting more and more possessive.

"Vivienne?" Maddox called out from the doorway, having watched the tfor a while.

Noticing the three of them chatting in the yard, instead of coming inside and suspecting something was up, he stepped out, "Why aren't you coming in? Dinner's ready; we're just waiting on you and Percival." "And me, don't forget about me," Leopold interjected, not willing to be left out.

Having taken his lumps and noted his grievances, he was determined to partake in the meal today, or it would be a total loss.

"Alright, alright, you too," Maddox replied indifferently, stepping aside to let them in. "Dad had the chef prepare your favorite dish, Vivienne. You've been so busy lately; you need to eat well." It was Vivienne's and Karen's first family gathering since acknowledging their relationship, and the grand dining room brimmed with people.

The household staff had been given the day off, so the only people present were the core members of the Perez family and their special friends, like Richard and Finnian.

And Leopold, who had shamelessly squeezed his way in for a free meal.

"Once Sasha wakes up, our family will truly be complete," Jasper observed with warmth as he looked around at the gathered family, missing only the comatose Karen and her ever-watchful sister Willa.

Eldest son Luke Perez, seated to his left, reassured him, "Don't worry, Dad. With Vivienne here, Sasha will be just fine. You shouldn't fret." His wife Carmen Pendleton chimed in, "That's right, Dad. We should be happy that they found their way back to us." Fredrick poured a drink for Jasper, "Dad, it's a day for celebration. I know Sasha said you shouldn't drink, but let's toast to happiness today!" "Uncle Fredrick, my mom's not here, but I am," Vivienne said with a smile that reached her eyes.

Fredrick stiffened at her words, managing a sheepish grin, "Just one drink, one drink. Don't worry, Vivienne. I'll make sure Dad doesn't have any more after this!" His guilty, sycophantic demeanor would have had his subordinates roaring with laughter if they'd seen him. Yet, no one at the table seemed to think anything was amiss. Alice Churchill, Fredrick's patient wife, rolled her eyes at him, "You're hopeless, Fredrick. Don't worry, Vivienne. I'm here, and I won't let your uncles drink too much." "Frederick, you had it coming," laughed Maddox, the only bachelor at the table, his voice booming with amusement.

Fredrick's cool glance swept over to him, but Maddox showed no sign of intimidation.

Sitting next to Percival, Yuri quietly matched him drink for drink while keeping an eye on everyone at the table. Seeing Fredrick's menacing look, he sent a sympathetic look to Maddox, who was still laughing heartily.

Ever since Luke took over the family business, they had all grown up under Fredrick's strict rule. Yet, Maddox seemed to have a short memory.

It had not been long since the last the had angered Fredrick, and the echoes of his pained howls were still fresh. Now, he had already forgotten and was making the smistake. No wonder he couldn't catch Willa's eye.

Vivienne couldn't agree more. She sat next to Percival, flanked by the family's two youngest members - Natalia and Yasmine.

The kids adored Vivienne and chatted with her incessantly, offering her their treats, "Here, Vivienne, you eat." The green bean pastry in the child's hand was squished beyond recognition.

While Zelda, their mother, cringed at the sight, Vivienne accepted it without a second thought, "Thank you, Yasmine. It's delicious." Zelda started to protest, but Vivienne waved her off, "It's okay, Aunt Zelda. I don't mind." She had eaten far worse while on missions. Compared to that, Yasmine's mangled pastry was a luxury.

Richard and Finnian watched the Perez family's playful bickering and then turned their attention. attention too m Vivienne with her young cousins.

Richard mused, "Vivienne's so good with kids. When she has her own, they're going to love their mom even more."

Finnian, recalling Vivienne as a child, smiled warmly, "Of course. You didn't see her when she was little She Was sp well-behaved and always tagged along after me, calling'Master.' But now... Well, kids grow up, and they're not as cute anymore." "What did you just say?" Jasper bristled at these words. Missing out on Vivienne's childhood was regret enough; he wouldn't stand for any suggestion that she had lost her charm with age.

This old coot! Acting all smug after getting a sweet deal? "Our Vivienne is doing so brilliantly now. Just look at the other kids her age out there. None of them can hold a candle to her achievements!" Jasper slammed his hand down on the table with a thud.

Eyes bulging, Finnian got into a heated argument with him.

Vivienne, blessed with keen hearing, felt the warmth drain from her cheeks that had been flushed with laughter from Richard's teasing as Jasper roared in the background.

The other old-timers at the table, oblivious to her thoughts, launched into a fierce debate over whether Vivienne was as adorable as she used to be.

Richard, ever the instigator, firmly sided with Jasper. Finnian, outnumbered and outgunned, slowly began to lose ground. Begrudgingly conceding, he couldn't help but reminisce.

Their initial topic had been about how cute Vivienne's future kids would be, right? How on earth had the conversation taken such a wild detour?

Finnian glanced at his old chum, who was still listing Vivienne's virtues to Richard, and with a resounding shap, he slammed his cutlery down. "Hold Π on, you two fossils. I was clearly talking about how cute Vivienne's future kids would be. What are you rambling on about?"