The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Listening to Ronald's spiel, Vivienne felt a sting of insult to her intelligence.

Carl had a hematoma in his head? And it was scattered by a bump? Did they really think she would not know if there was a hematoma? Vivienne downed the remnants of her wine, “Hand over Carl's rehab center address to me. I'll visit him after this busy spell is over. | can’t let Faye turn into a widow, can 1?” Ronald looked at Vivienne, “Vivienne, | truly regret bothering you with this, asking you to go all that way...” “Cut the nonsense, hand it over.” Vivienne was visibly irked.

And to think she assumed Carl fell into a vegetative state for sgrave reason, only to find out it was a mere bump on the head.

A hematoma, really? After the surgery she had performed, how could there possibly be a hematoma left in Carl's head? Seeing Vivienne’s genuine anger, Ronald quickly sent Carl's rehab center address to her, “Carl is stable now, and he’s got professional caretakers there. You don’t have to worry.” “Alright, you guys carry on. I'm heading out.” Vivienne was tired and, after a short farewell, went to find Percival for the ride home.

Darren and Ashley escorted Vivienne and her companion out.

“Boss, my mom said she’s with my dad hosting guests, so they can’t see you out. But she wantedto give you this; she noticed you didn’t eat much tonight. Have something to fill you up on the way home.” Darren now addressed Vivienne as Boss. [x] Darren handed over a bag filled with food lovingly prepared by Melissa.

“Thank Auntie for me,” Vivienne said, taking the bag.

Then, Darren handed her an invitation, “But boss, looks like you owe a gift.” Vivienne looked at the invitation in surprise. “You're getting married? Did you notify the company? Who's the bride? Are there any clauses in your latest contract requiring you to stay single? If you costa dime, | swear I'll wring your neck!” Darren was the second hottest star in Rainbow Entertainment after Stephen. His sudden marriage was bound to cause a stir.

Vivienne was not against marriage, but it better not cout of her pocket! Darren was speechless, feeling a chill at his neck. “Boss, could you at least read it before jumping to conclusions?” Ashley chuckled. “Really. Even if my brother wanted to get married, he'd need someone willing first.” Vivienne opened the invitation to find it was a celebration of the billion-dollar success of Betrothed Understud.

The TV series had already aired! “Stephen and my sister walked the red carpet today. They would have delivered this personally if they could.

They've been working their tails off; many are shipping them for real now, boosting our company’s revenue.

Boss, don’t you think you should give a generous gift?” Vivienne nodded. “It’s in a week, right? Okay, tell Kala I'll be there.” This was a chance for profit, not to be missed! On the way back, Vivienne sent Carl's address to Draven.

[Check his doctor and condition.] Draven responded quickly, and Vivienne turned off her phone.

The day’s events had drained her. It was the first ta day that started with a strawberry cheesecake did not turn out to be as sweet.

Leaning back in the passenger seat, she turned to look at Percival. Under the dim light, his face was half-bathed in illumination, half-shrouded in darkness. The light accentuated his nose and spread across his lips, a golden veil upon his visage.

His hands, pale and slender, turned the steering wheel with an effortless grace.

As the turn signal clicked, a car’s headlights flashed across Percival’s profile, revealing a strikingly handsside view that was hard to look away from.

Vivienne leaned closer, drawing a finger along his refined jawline.

Percival tilted his head, trapping her finger against his shoulder before quickly letting go.

“I'm driving. Stop it.” Vivienne laughed, her fingers playfully reaching for his ear. “Mr. Wolf, I've missed you.” Percival slammed on the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road and taking several deep breaths before restarting the car.

This girl was becoming more and more naughty.

At this rate, her mother would rise from the grave to battle him.

“Vivienne, stop it,” Percival urged, not daring to look at her, focusing on driving instead.

Seeing he was not amused, Vivienne withdrew her hand and sat quietly.

Somehow, only when she was with Percival did her heart find peace.

Only by his side did she feel truly alive.

Before she knew it, Vivienne drifted off to sleep.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Percival parked beneath her home. Noticing Vivienne asleep, he did not rush to wake her.

In silence, he watched her as if all the world’s beauty had settled in that moment.

His fingers gently caressed her cheek, playfully pinching her puffy face from deep sleep.

Percival muttered a tender, almost inaudible, “Vivienne, you must be exhausted,” as he gently covered Vivienne with his jacket. Taking a moment to collect himself, he exited the car and moved to the passenger side. With careful hands, he cradled her head and lifted Vivienne into his arms, carrying her back to her home.

Once in her bedroom, Percival laid her gently on the bed. As he turned to leave, her sleeping grip tightened around his wrist.

“Mr. Wolf, stay with me,” she murmured, her eyes flickering open with a glint of moisture.

His heart melted on the spot, like snow on the first day of spring. He perched on the edge of the bed, gently closing her eyes with his hand. “Alright, I'll stay with you.” Vivienne slipped back into slumber, and Percival lay beside her, pulling her small frinto his embrace.

He began to sing a lullaby by her ear softly.

It was Karen who had taught him that lullaby.

When Vivienne was merely three, Karen had left her in Percival’s care, warning him, “If my little girl isn't asleep, you'll be stripped the right of callingyour mentor.” Vivienne was not nearly as peaceful then, a bundle of energy impossible to settle. So, he sang that lullaby over and over until sleep finally claimed her.

Percival had been just a boy himself then, barely twelve or thirteen. Later, he realized that Karen had been teaching him patience all along.

To join the ranks of the Vanguard Agency, patience was not just a virtue; it was a requirement. Smissions demanded time, and senemies needed to be infiltrated gradually.

Percival held Vivienne a little tighter, gazing out the window as the silver moonlight spilled through.

“Mentor, where in the world are you?”