The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Nine men, fire in their eyes, stormed the Ellington estate.

Percival was dealing with his grandfather Richard’s tantrum and feeling such a headache.

The old man had returned from a stint at the nursing home only to find out that the engagement had

been called off on his behalf. He nearly flipped the roof in his outrage.

First, he laid into Percival without mercy, then he dropped to the floor and began to roll around.

Like now, he was wailing and flailing like a hooligan, crying out, “My dear wife, I can’t go on, so come

take me away! This ungrateful grandson of mine has gone behind my back and called off the

engagement. He must think my days are too long, beckoning the Grim Reaper to come for me sooner!”

“Oh, my baby granddaughter-in-law, I’m so sorry that I let this heartless scoundrel disappoint you. I

can’t face you. I can only apologize with my death!”

“But rest assured, I’ll take this disrespectful grandson with me before I die to avenge you!”

“My dear wife, you gave birth to several boys and girls and I appreciate that. But our genes weren’t

strong enough. Our kids are worthless. They’re killing me with their lack of filiality!”

“It’s over, I can’t take it. I’m short of breath. My chest is tight, my head’s spinning, and all I see is

darkness. I might be joining you soon.”

“What? You don’t want me to come? No, I can’t live with the shame, not after my grandson has driven

away my granddaughter-in-law. Unless, unless that ungrateful boy gets her back for me.”

Percival sighed.

Great!

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Looks like his grandpa’s performance was set for an encore.

He glanced at Richard, then instructed the maid, “Fetch a cushion; don’t let him catch a cold.”

Want to play the fool? Play on.

The maid nodded and was about to fetch the cushion when another maid rushed in, “Young Master

Percival, there are nine angry men outside and asking for you!”

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Percival mused.

Nine?

Leopold was back too?

Before he could speak, Richard leapt up and was fiery as a rocket, “Perfect timing!”

Percival’s lips curled in amusement upon seeing his indignation.

Well, the grandson was more important than granddaughter-in-law at the end of the world!

He followed suit, while Richard was practically sprinting, eager to cover two paces in one.

Jerry and other eight ones saw Richard and Percival emerge; with that, their faces darkened further.

Jerry’s voice was ice cold, “Percival…”

Before he could finish, Richard slapped him upside the head, fuming, “You call yourselves Vivienne’s

disciples? She’s been bullied and you only show up now? Did she mean nothing to you?”

He knew these nine were Vivienne’s disciples since his last hospital visit.

Jerry and his men were stunned by what he said.

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“The next time something like this happens, you’d better show up sooner. Not a minute late!” Richard

scolded.

Jerry and his men were more confused.

What’s going on?

Seeing their confusion, Richard grew even more irate.

Then, pointing at Percival behind him, he declared, “There! This scoundrel! He’s abandoned my

granddaughter-in-law. Go settle the score with him. And don’t worry, I’ll lock the door. He won’t

escape!”

Percival gasped in surprise.

Are you serious? He spoke to himself.

Seeing the nine still unmoved, Richard slapped Jerry’s head again, “What are you waiting for? Go

settle the score! Or what? Are you afraid of his power and too scared to confront him?”

Jerry and his men blinked their eyes.

This wasn’t right! The story wasn’t supposed to go this way!

They were meant to take action, not get lectured by a grumpy old man!

No, this needed a reset! This plot twist was not what they signed up for!

Dawson snapped back to reality. He roared, “Percival! You piece of crap! You played with Vivienne’s

feelings and now you dare to dump her, huh? Today, you’ll learn that we, the men of Emerald

Monastery, are not to be trifled with!”

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Leopold, looking at Percival, added, “Percival! I never thought you’d be this kind of man. Vivienne was

so good to you. She had saved Isolde, helped Richard, sent Mrs. Cecilia perfumes and clothes. She

gave you her best, and yet this is how you repay her.”

Leopold, who looked heartbroken, declared, “I’m done with you! From now on, we’re no longer friends!”

Percival raised an eyebrow, “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely sure!” Leopold stated earnestly.

Percival’s lips quirked slightly, “Alright, I get it.”

Larry leaned casually against the Ellingtons’ front gate, speaking with nonchalance, “Why bother with

all this talk? I’ve already arranged for the Brooks’ fireworks to be brought over. Let’s blow up the

Ellington place and talk after!”

Richard panicked at that, “Blow up the Ellington estate? No way! If you do, where will my

granddaughter-in-law stay when she comes back? Oh no, she won’t be my granddaughter-in-law

anymore; I plan to adopt Vivienne as my granddaughter. This is her home and it can’t be blown up. If

you must, take that scoundrel out and blow him up, then dig a grave and bury what’s left!”

Percival’s eyes went wide.

I might need a paternity test to confirm if I’m actually related to you! He thought.

Jerry and his men exchanged their looks, which implied such a message: “So, are we blowing it up or

not? Why it is so complicated to deal with the jerk?”

Larry frowned, then stood up straight, “Fine, we’ll take him out and blow him up! Anyone who hurts

Vivienne deserves to die!”

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Dawson nodded, “I agree.”

“Agreed!” Gary and Eric adhered.

The others nodded in agreement with the plan, except Leopold, who suddenly fell silent.

Though he was mad at Percival, death by explosion could be a bit too harsh. That was his best mate

for over twenty years! Damn it!

Seeing Leopold silent, Jerry shot him a look, “What’s up? You got something to say?”

Leopold’s head jerked up and met eight pairs of murderous eyes. He shivered, “Nope, no objections

here! I’m all and fully supporting! A scumbag deserves to be six feet under with no stone to mark his

grave!”

Percival raised an eyebrow while giving him a fleeting glance, suggesting a meaning of “wait and see.”

The gang of nine was about to rush over and seize Percival, but out of the blue, he calmly picked up

his phone, “Vivienne, you hearing this? They are disrespecting elders and rude as hell. Do you need

me to teach them a lesson?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books

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Before they could recover, Vivienne’s icy voice came through the phone, “All of you, get back to

Emerald Monastery and write out the Ten Commandments a thousand times!

The gang of nine all gaped their eyes.

Seriously? A thousand times? That’s worse than death!

Their hands were made for swinging swords, not pens!

Hold on!

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Didn’t this guy break off his engagement with Vivienne?

Well, why Vivienne was still taking his side?

As they stood there stunned, Vivienne’s voice drifted over again, “You have one minute to vanish from

the Ellington estate, and half an hour to get out of Rivenwood! Don’t make me come over there myself!”

With that, the nine were gone like a gust of wind, vanished without a trace.

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