The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Stifling the churning in her stomach, Victoria shifted in her seat and propped her head up with one hand. "Don't makesick, Harrison. You might be able to fool my dad with your little schemes, but you can't fool me. Go ahead and mess with the Littletons behind my back; I couldn't care less. I've never been one for such life-shortening endeavors." Rising from her chair, she approached Harrison. "But letwarn you! The Ellingtons have got Kaitlyn's back now, so you'd better tread lightly. If you bring trouble my way, don't expectto play the loving wife." Her pale fingertips tapped Harrison's chest.

Before Victoria could retract her hand, he grabbed it and pressed it against his heart. "Victoria, we're in this together. I'm helping out Dad to make him see our worth a bit more." He pursed his lips, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "You don't understand. If I don't get involved, Sophie and her mother will take all the credit. You wouldn't want to see that, would you? After all, your mother's fate is still in Dad's hands. If we don't get our hands on that item within a week, who do you think Dad will blwhen the Grimshaws cknocking?" His words were like a gentle knife, slicing away at Victoria's heart.

Harrison had honed his skills over the years, his cool gaze seemingly laden with affection. But upon closer inspection, one could see nothing but cold calculation in his eyes. No trace of the tenderness and warmth expected between spouses.

Victoria knew that look all too well. Unless he needed something, Harrison was always indifferent to her, only playing the doting husband in front of Gavin.

She hadn't expected Vivienne to invoke such fear in Harrison. Suppressing a smirk, she tried to pull her fingers away, but his grip was astonishingly strong. No matter how hard she tried, his palm remained firmly in place.

She loathed his pretense. It reminded her too much of how Gavin might have sweet-talked her mother with feigned affection, only to discard her once there was no more benefit to be had.

"Let go!" Her eyes sharpened. "Harrison, I'm sure you don't want another kick to that handsface of yours." He hesitated, clearly reluctant, but eventually, he let go.

Victoria pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her fingers meticulously as if she had touched something vile and couldn't scrub it off fast enough.

Harrison's hazel eyes flashed with anger for a moment, and Victoria felt like she had been targeted by a viper lurking in the darkness.

She paused in her cleaning and looked up, meeting Harrison's gaze.

He tried to maintain his charming and easygoing facade, blinking innocently as his long lashes fluttered.

Victoria fought the urge to shudder. She was getting goosebumps! But she had to hold it together. She must! It wasn't tto confront Harrison just yet.

She forced a twitch of her lips and tossed the handkerchief into the trash. "Don't useas your excuse. I've seen plenty like you- ungrateful, two-faced scoundrels. Claiming you did it forwhen, in reality, marryingwas just a means to secure your future." Victoria's eyes seemed to pierce through to the soul. "After all, I'm my father's only daughter. Madeline and her lot aren't even on the family tree yet. Whether they'll get a share of the inheritance is another matter, and our uncles barely acknowledge them. My father has no sons, so the legitimate heir can only be me." At her words, a flicker of shock crossed Harrison's face, not escaping Victoria's keen observation, who added, "You used the Littletons as a stepping stone to get into my father's good graces. You've spent enough years in our household to understand him well. You're betting he wouldn't pass the legacy to Sophie, so you chose to be withafter weighing the pros and cons!" She laughed suddenly. "You say it's for me, but it's just another way for you to curry favor with my father. But what a pity. You've hit a snag. If I'm not mistaken, Vivienne and Percival have alr ady found evidence of your past misdeeds against the Littletons.

Harrison, you're done for!" "No, I still have one chance." His private fears were laid bare by /ictoria, but Harrison didn't deny hem. He straightened his clothes and stepped closer to her. Despite ier wary gaze, he wrapped his arms around her. "I still have you, Victoria.

'ou ar are my wife, Richard Ellington's iece. If you plead with Percival on ny behalf, I believe he might agree.

Don't you think?" Content belongs tc ¡wVictoria frowned. "Do you think that's possible? Why on earth should I help you?" "Because I know where your mother is." Harrison looked into Victoria's suddenly wide eyes, gleaming as brightly as stars.

If there was one thing Victoria got wrong, it was his motive for marrying her Though it was a calculated decision, he did have his own desires. He had always drawn to Victoria's eyes. To see such brilliance in the mire of ve Abernathy family was rare. Just help me, and I'll ensure your mother's rescue. Are you satisfied with that deal?" "Why should I trust you?" Victoria struggled in vain, finding that Harrison was immovable, a hint of wariness creeping into her gaze. What else was this man hiding behind that deceivingly handsface? "Harrison, I'm not as gullible as Kaitlyn! Don't try your tricks on me; it's just disgusting." Harrison wasn't fazed by Victoria's outburst. He casually wrapped an arm around her waist, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. Ignoring Victoria's attempts to dodge, he teasingly caressed her cheek with his knuckles.

His face, a mask of arrogance, slowly closed in on her despite the disgust in her eyes.

Victoria tried to escape, but Harrison's grip was unyielding, pinning her in place! With each attempt to step back, he would close in even more.

Only when there was no more room to retreat did she grit her teeth and hiss. "What the hell do you want?" Their faces were now barely an inch apart when Harrison finally paused. His eyes gleamed with a mischievous light, his voice soft and seductive. "Victoria, if you can't trust me, who can you trust? Gavin, that old coot? Or perhaps your stepmother, who's so eager to snatch your inheritance?" "Go to hell with her!" Victoria snapped back fiercely, balling her fists and swinging at Harrison's face. "Don't you dare mention that vixen in front of me!" mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1