The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne's perfectly curved nose was pressed against the man's chest, muffling her voice as she spoke.

It sounded like she was crying, which made Percival's heart clench, holding her even tighter.

His voice was as gentle as if he were consoling a child, and his hands were not idle, patting her back rhythmically. "It's okay; these

horror flicks are all fake. Vivienne. Don't cry."

Vivienne: Which eye of yours sawcrying?

Seeing her words had no effect, her idle hand climbed to Percival's waist.

Through the thin fabric, her soft fingertips glided across his abdomen, sending a tingling sensation through him.

Percival's throat felt dry, and his lower abdomen tightened.

The eyes that were once filled with tender indulgence suddenly darkened, and when he spoke again, his voice was hoarse,

"Vivienne, are you seducing me?"

On any other day, such a tone from him would have made Vivienne's eyes shine with fascination.

But this time, she remained silent, and once she found her target, her index finger and thumb suddenly pinched hard around

Percival's waist. "Seduce this!"

Caught off guard, Percival couldn't help but let out a muffled groan. His arms loosened around Vivienne, and with a gentle push, he

found himself sprawled on the couch, "If it wasn't for Kenneth being away from hlately, I'd think he taught you all those

clumsy moves!"

Vivienne straddled him with her legs. "Mr. Wolf, can you drop those corny lines from the TV shows? They don't suit you, really. Look

at me. Do | seem like someone who'd be scared of that?"

Percival lay on the couch, half his face buried in a cushion.

The more Vivienne spoke, the more she found it amusing to see Percival, who seemed embarrassed, her laughter growing stronger.

"Can't you just be yourself, Mr. Wolf?"

As she spoke, she got off him and patted his shoulder soothingly.

Deciding to let him stew for a bit, she walked away to answer her phone, "Victoria, what's up?"

Her voice still carried a hint of laughter as she spoke.

Victoria paused, checked the phone to confirm it was indeed Vivienne's number, then brought it back to her ear. "Are you

possessed?"

Why else would she sound so cheerful at her call?

Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Vivienne said curtly, "Spit it out."

Her tone was cold and impatient, but Victoria wasn't upset. In fact, she let out a relieved sigh. That was the Vivienne she knew. The

one before must have been her imagination.

"Day after tomorrow, 10 a.m., the café next to your place. Let's meet."

Although Arthur suggested that she go straight to Richard, after the scene her mother had made with the family, she was too

ashamed to face this grandfather whom he had never met.

After a moment's thought, Victoria decided to start with Vivienne.

Vivienne didn't respond right away but turned to look at Percival still playing possum on the couch. "Fine, if there's nothing else,

I'm hanging up."

"Okay..."

Victoria didn't finish her sentence before the dial tone sounded. Frozen for a good two or three seconds, she finally cto. "|

swear... Vivienne, you better not fall into my hands!"

Unaware of Victoria's curses, Vivienne hung up the phone and sat back down, coaxing Percival to face her, "Mr. Wolf, cut the act.

You're too old for these games."

Percival cupped Vivienne's chin with one hand: "You're right, this really isn't my style."

"See, | told you, you just... hey!"

As he seemed to take her advice seriously, Vivienne was ready to push her point further.

But Percival wasn't listening; seizing the moment, he suddenly sat up and scooped Vivienne into his arms. "Vivienne, now's not the

tfor chatting."

Like an emperor carrying a beauty back to his palace.

Percival strode upstairs, and as he laid Vivienne on the bed, he began to undress.

His gaze, filled with aggression, settled on Vivienne, making her cheeks burn. Her body curled slightly, and she swallowed hard.

Her eyes, reddened and flirtatious, were enticing.

As the man's perfect physique was revealed, a strange gulp echoed through the air.

Percival's eyebrows lifted, his gaze heavy with desire as he looked at her, "What's the matter? Can't wait, Vivienne?"

Vivienne's cheeks were as red as ripe apples, her eyes locked on Percival's solid muscles. Her hands, not shy at all, climbed his abs

like a rock climber.

Finally, under his fiery gaze, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Vivienne arched her body, her eyes captivating, "I really can't wait. Mr. Wolf, what are you waiting for?"

Passion unfolded, and the room filled with springtlove.

At the Abernathy family estate.

In the quaint courtyard, Gavin lay in a rocking chair with Madeline fanning him by his side.

The woman was dressed in a green cheongsam patterned with playful fish and lotus leaves, outlining her exquisite figure. Though

in her forties, she wore a pearl necklace that added a noble shine to her slender neck under the sunlight.

Even in her forties, her eyes still held a unique charm, "Gavin, I've heard that the task you gave to Victoria hasn't been completed

yet?"

Gavin Abernathy didn't speak, only nodded slightly.

Madeline leaned closer, whispering in the old man's ear, "Don't be too anxious. Victoria is young, after all. It's understandable if her

abilities are lacking. Why don't we stop pressuring her and find another way to tie our family to the Grimshaws?"

Gavin opened his eyes. "What way?"

"Marriage, of course. Since ancient times, what bond is stronger than a union through marriage?"

Madeline set aside the ivory-handled fan she'd been idly fluttering and laid her well-manicured hand on Gavin's chest. "You know,

our darling Sophie is of age now. Why don't we seize the moment at the Grimshaw family reunion to find her a suitable match? It

would settle her future, and you could stop worrying about it."

Her voice was as soft and casual as if she were discussing the weather.

Yet Gavin, the seasoned patriarch that he was, could read between the lines all too well. He turned his head to look at her, gently

pushing her hand away as he sat upright. "Sophie's future is something I've already got plans for. The Grimshaws... they're not the

right fit for her."

"And why not?" Madeline pouted, playfully nudging him. "The Abernathys, though lacking the clout of the Grimshaws, cfrom a

noble line of knights. It's a match of equals."

She paused mid-sentence, her eyes suddenly glistening with unshed tears. "Or is it that you, like all those other snobs, look down

on Sophie's heritage? She could have been the Abernathy heiress if not for you insisting on marrying the Ellington heiress. If it

weren't for that, would our daughter and | still be the talk of the town?"

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