The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

All of this felt like a dream to Vivienne.

She pondered if only in a harmonious household like the Perez's, such an event could unfold without rousing suspicion among the other members.

Uncle Luke indeed had a heart big enough to embrace the entire Perez family.

"Getting married tomorrow, feeling nervous?" Sasha suddenly popped the question.

Vivienne calmly responded, "Not at all." Sasha smirked, "Wasn't talking to you, but about the one who's been counting days on the phone." Vivienne, "..." Tradition kept her from seeing Mr. Wolf until the wedding day, adding to his anxiety, palpable even through their nightly phone calls.

Sighing, she stood up, "Mom, you really should stop eavesdropping." Sasha muttered, "Wasn't eavesdropping. You were the one speaking so loudly..." As Vivienne turned to leave, Sasha's tone grew serious, "Something's not right. Be prepared for a tough day tomorrow." Vivienne paused, "My wedding will happen, no one can stop it." "Oh, and..." Vivienne suddenly turned back, "Remember to invite Winston from the Wright family tomorrow. We missed him at your and dad's wedding. He's held onto that; let's not et this time." Sasha was taken aback, realizing she had indeed otten.

Back in her room, Vivienne received a call from Draven.

"Young master, we've located Hunter. He was seen near Jericho Isle with an unidentified woman." Jericho Isle, a woman.

Vivienne's eyes narrowed with determination, and she instructed Draven, "Notify the Nine Mystics Society. Everyone's on standby tomorrow." She was resolved to deal with unfinished business once and for all.

The wedding day dawned with a procession from the Ellington family arriving at the Linklater residence. Percival, in a bespoke suit, entered with his groomsmen, Leopold and Thomas, by his side.

Meanwhile, upstairs.

Vivienne, in a diamond-studded wedding dress, sat calmly by the bedside, her gaze fixed on the assortment of nuts and snacks beside her, popping them into her mouth one after another.

She had been woken up at 5 AM. After hours of makeup and dressing, she hadn't even had breakfast...

If she didn't eat something soon, she joked to herself, she might faint from low blood sugar before exchanging rings.

Hearing the chatter downstairs, her bridesmaids, Charlotte and Griffin, becvisibly anxious.

Charlotte paced nervously, "What do we do, Vivienne? Are they here already? I'm so nervous!" Griffin, returning from the window, swallowed hard, too. I just saw Leopold. What if they really storm in? Do we stop them or not?" Vivienne, "...' || She suddenly missed Anna. That girl wouldn't have said a word in this situation.

Observing her flustered friends, Vivienne offered them each a date, "Want something to eat?" Charlotte and Griffin in unison, "How can you still eat at a tlike this?" Vivienne was baffled by their sudden camaraderie.

And why did they think eating was a cron her wedding day? Soon, the sound of footsteps approached the door.

Percival's deep voice echoed, "Vivienne, I'm here to get you!" Hearing Mr. Wolf's voice, Vivienne promptly replied, e in!" Charlotte and Griffin scrambled behind the door, gesturing frantically, "He can'te in..." Vivienne was speechless.

They were the ones scared, they were the ones blocking.

Did they have a profound misunderstanding of the role of bridesmaids? Must they stick to this ritual? Just as Charlotte and Griffin were debating how to demand a cash gift, two credit cards slid under the door.

Percival's voice followed, "A million each, spend away!" Charlotte, "..." || Griffin, ".

|| Continuing the blockade would just show they were ill-mannered bridesmaids.

The door opened to reveal Percival, his gaze fixed on Vivienne.

The dress was his design, the diamonds painstakingly attached by him, but it was Vivienne's radiant smile that captured all his attention.

No gown could outshine the joy on Vivienne's face.

Their eyes met, and Vivienne's face lit up brilliantly, while Percival, filled with happiness, took her hand tenderly, "Vivienne,e with me." "Of course, Mr. Wolf." They left the room, oblivious to the others who hurriedly followed.

As the procession made its way to the venue, Percival held Vivienne's hand tightly, as if clutching a el precious treasure, never wanting to let go. g UM Vivienne reassured him, "Mr. Wolf, it's alright." Percival responded softly, but his furrowed brow remained tight.

"Boom!" A loud explosion sounded just ten meters ahead.

Leopold, driving, nearly lost control of the wheel, "Damn, they're really throwing bombs in broad daylight!" Before he could finish, another blast occurred.

If not for Percival's foresight in using bulletproof vehicles, those inside might not have been so fortunate.

Leopold had no choice but to believe now, "Vivienne, are you for real? Good thing you didn't jump into Jerry's car earlier, or else..." Traditionally, the newlyweds were supposed to ride in the wedding car, but just as they were about to board, Vivienne suddenly pulled Percival into the last car in line, drive by Leopold. That sure ruffled the feathers of a few of their friends up front.

Leopold thought Vivienne still had a soft spot for him.

But he hadn't expected this twist in the tale waiting for him.

Before Leopold could even gather his wits, Vivienne tossed him a handgun, "Nine o'clock, left side! Two snipers!" Leopold, "What?" Percival, cool as a cucumber, pulled out two handguns from behind, "Vivienne, duck. I've got the ones on the roof." Leopold, "..." What in the world was happening today? Before he could react, the snipers had already made their move, aiming straight for his head.

It seemed they were out for blood.

Luckily, he wasn't one to sit back idly.

Swiftly taking out the distant snipers, Leopold stepped out of the in car, his gaze turning icy as he saw his brethren engaged in a fierce battle with a group of men dressed in black not far away, "Vivienne, it's an ambush!" "Let's fight our way out!" Exchanging a glance with Percival, they swapped their handguns for more familiar weapons and charged into the fray.