The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival’s words hung heavy in the air as he caught sight of Vivienne’s sparkling eyes, realizing he might have said something he should not have.

The little minx was clearly looking forward to it.

With a sly grin, Vivienne stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Percival’s neck, calling him harsh while pressing her lips to his.

One kiss, no more, no less! Vivienne was the epitof a shrewd businesswoman. She adhered to contracts religiously, taking the concept of fair dealing to the next level.

Her reputation was that of a fair and honest trader! With a single arm, Percival caught Vivienne’s waist, pinning her down onto the couch.

His potent presence filled the office, his broad palms gripping Vivienne’s slender waist as his other hand braced against the couch, his face inching ever closer.

Vivienne, still clasping Percival’s neck with interlocked fingers, arched her back. She curled her lips into a mischievous smile, her gaze lingering on Percival’s hormone-charged face for a few seconds.

Suddenly, she pushed forcefully against the back of his head, pulling him down with all her might.

Foreplay seemed rather unnecessary.

Their lips intertwined, a maelstrom of intimacy slowly cascading down like a waterfall, weaving into streams of passion.

The hand Percival had on the couch flexed, his fingers, pale as leeks, straining to contain the desires that bubbled from deep within. a This was the office.

Beyond the door were countless employees.

He must not give in to impulse.

Control, control! But the struggle only made his kisses sweeter, as if dipped in honey, unable to leave the blossoming fields.

The sudden ring of the cell phone went ignored by the pair, lost in each other's entanglement.

Once, twice, the persistent ring finally irked the frustrated Percival.

Without a glance, he snatched up the phone and barked, “Talk!” The voice on the other end paused, then whimpered with a tinge of hurt, “Percival, why are you angry? Did | upset you?” Only then did Percival glance at the caller ID—it was Isolde.

His tone softened, “No, Isolde, | just didn’t notice it was you. I'm sorry. What's so important that you called so many times?” Vivienne sat up; the office was quiet enough that she could hear Isolde’s cries clearly.

After scajoling from Percival, Isolde’s sobs settled, and she slowly revealed her reason for calling.

“Percival, Mom took Mara to see a doctor, but they said her face... it can’t be fixed. Mara’s locked herself in her room crying, and Mom looks so worried.” Cecilia had found the best plastic surgeon for Mara, but the poison from Keco, coupled with the long-unhealed infection, left the scars beyond repair.

Mara, who had harbored hope, was devastated by the grim prognosis, especially since she had already been the talk of the school.

Other schools had their beauty rankings, but Elite University had started a cruel joke with a ‘Buffoon Ranking,’ and Mara topped it without competition! Now, learning her face was beyond saving, Mara had shut herself away, with Cecilia keeping vigil all night to no avail.

Currently, Cecilia was in a frenzy, begging Mara to open the door.

Percival frowned; he knew Mara would not settle down so easily.

“Tell mom to let Mara be.” Isolde sighed like an old soul, “Mom softened up just seeing a puppy's video online. How could she ignore Mara, a living, breathing person? She can’t just let her be.” As they spoke, Cecilia's shouts for help echoed through the phone. “Someone, help!” Percival’'s eyes narrowed. “Isolde, what's happening?” Isolde screamed, “Oh my God, there's so much blood. | think Mara tried to kill herself!” Percival cursed under his breath. Mara’s defiance was one thing, but scaring his mother and sister was another.

“I'm on my way.” Ending the call, Percival hurried off, and Vivienne followed suit.

“Vivienne, I'll take you home. You don’t need to cwith me.” Percival knew Mara’s stunt was aimed at Vivienne.

This suicide scare was ludicrous.

Mara had crawled from M State all the way to Rivenwood, enduring countless humiliations without a thought of suicide. Her facial scars were not new either.

A suicide attempt now? Clearly, it was a ploy to make Cecilia swallow her pride and beg Vivienne for help.

Vivienne was well aware of this, too. “No worries, | don’t want Cecilia to be upset.” “And | don’t want you compromising yourself,” Percival said sternly.

He would never allow Vivienne to indulge others out of pity, giving them a chance to encroach upon her.

Even if that person was his own family! He would not let her do something she disliked.

Vivienne shrugged with a nonchalant smile. “Mr. Wolf, I'm not compromising at all. In fact, | find it kind of exciting.” Percival exhaled deeply, understanding her intent instantly. He tapped her nose affectionately, “You're always looking for fun.” Vivienne blinked and playfully tugged at Percival’s chin, “What should I look for if not fun? Men?” Percival grasped her hand, dead serious, “Sure, you can look for men. I'm the most handsman in the world.” Vivienne burst into laughter. She hadn't realized until now just how vain Percival could be.

But she liked it.

At the hospital, Mara was rushed to the emergency room. She had slashed her wrists with a shard of porcelain, cutting deep into a vein, and had swallowed a handful of sleeping pills.

Percival and Vivienne arrived to find the doctors still fighting to save her.

Cecilia paced anxiously outside the room, surprised to see Vivienne. “Vivienne, what brings you here?” “I'm worried about you,” Vivienne said, guiding Cecilia to a seat. “Cecilia, | checked the medical records when | got here. There's nothing to fret about. She should be out soon.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

True to her words, within two minutes, the emergency room doors swung open, and a still-unconscious Mara was wheeled out.

“Doc, my niece is going to be okay, right?” Cecilia inquired, her voice tinged with concern.

The doctor nodded reassuringly. “She’s fine. We've pumped her stomach, and once she wakes up, she should be in the clear. However, be cautious moving forward. She already had a weak stomach, and now it's even more delicate. We want to prevent any further complications.” Cecilia's worry deepened. She had just about gotten Mara back on track after a rough patch, and now this setback.

In the hospital room, Mara was yet to regain consciousness. Cecilia sat by her side, her face etched with lines of concern.

She contemplated finding a therapist for Mara. The physical scars would heal in time, and there were ways to deal with them. But the thought of suicide that had driven Mara to this point... that was a demon that needed to be banished for good.

Vivienne, standing off to the side, perused Mara’s medical chart. An entire bottle of sleeping pills swallowed whole.

She had half-expected to find a mix of vitamins or something less severe in the mix, but it seemed Mara had truly played a dangerous game.