The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne was the epitome of composure. If Scott lacked even the basic cunning, her mother would

never have spent three years undercover by his side.

But now, the lead on Scott was a dead end.

She had hoped to use Scott to unearth the true identity of the elusive Mr. B.

“Vivienne, let’s head back,” Percival said, taking her hand and pulling her back to the present.

He had not expected Scott to pull the trigger so suddenly.

They had hoped to extract Mr. B’s whereabouts from Scott, which was why the Vanguard Agency had

surrounded him without immediately ordering his arrest.

It had, however, given Scott the chance to slip through their fingers.

Yet, despite appearances, Scott had fired a blank. Given the distance and angle, Vivienne would not

have escaped unscathed even if she had been on guard.

Surely, his gun was not out of bullets.

Percival’s men, who dove into the sea to search Scott, relayed the news to him while he was in the car.

The car was found, but the man was missing, leaving behind a single shoe and copious amounts of

blood. The shattered window was fringed with scraps of skin tissue.

If the blood loss was as severe as it seemed, he was likely at the bottom of the sea by now.

“Keep searching,” Percival commanded with a grave voice.

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Having anticipated this outcome, Vivienne immediately issued an Order of Nine Mystics Society to

pursue Scott.

“Mr. Wolf, take me home,” Vivienne said, leaning on Percival’s shoulder, her eyes weary, “I’m rather

tired.”

Percival draped his coat over her, saying gently, “Of course.”

Vivienne closed her eyes, haunted by the image of Scott aiming the gun at her.

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She had not expected him to hold his fire.

As for why, Vivienne did not care to ponder.

Regardless of his mercy, it did not erase his past intent to kill her mother.

After dropping Vivienne at the Brooks residence, Percival left.

Vivienne prepared to retire to her room when she saw Kala and paused.

Hearing that Kala had returned to work and must be busy, it surprised her to see her home for a break.

Catching the sound of the door, Kala brightened for a moment, but her expression faltered upon seeing

Vivienne.

“Vivienne, you’re back,” Kala said with an awkward smile.

Their relationship had lost the purity it once had.

Vivienne nodded. “Yes, and you’re here as well?”

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“I came to ask my folks to join me for a reality show, but no one’s available… I guess it’s off the table,”

Kala said, her mood dimming momentarily before she forced a laugh. “It’s fine, I needed a break

anyway.”

Vivienne was familiar with the show Kala mentioned, a reality series focusing on family bonds, where

celebrities brought a relative to share an outdoor camping trip.

If she remembered correctly, Stephen Harris was also participating.

“The show just needs a family member, right?” Vivienne sat down across from Kala.

Kala nodded. “Yes, but everyone’s busy.”

“I’m not.”

Kala blinked with confusion. “What?”

Vivienne raised an eyebrow playfully. “I said I’m not. If you don’t think I’m suitable, just ignore my offer.”

Vivienne was not one for the spotlight, but if it were not for Rainbow Entertainment being the leading

producer, Kala would not even have gotten a spot in this show.

Kala’s current predicament was indeed partly her doing.

Helping Kala out was no big deal, even if it meant making a public appearance.

Kala was excited yet incredulous, assuming that Vivienne might have wanted nothing to do with the

Brooks family after the incident with their grandmother.

“I didn’t think you were unsuitable. It’s just… Never mind, I was overthinking. Vivienne, thank you,” Kala

said, getting up and hugging Vivienne with a hint of tears, relieved that Vivienne still considered her

family.

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She had forgotten those days when she could not face her grandmother’s death or the fact that

Vivienne had manipulated her own family.

Vivienne patted her back, “Alright, send me the schedule. I’m going to take a shower.”

In a matter of sentences, their relationship seemed restored.

With the reality show starting in two days, Vivienne organized the affairs of the Order of Nine Mystics

Society and left Rowan and Ismene under their watch.

Their disguise skill was too good to waste, and Draven was keen to learn.

On the set, Stephen arrived with his grandmother, Kala brought Vivienne, and another actress named

Lucia came with her elder sister.

Lucia was Kala’s longstanding rival; similar in image and roles, they were often pitted against each

other.

But Kala’s accolades left Lucia trailing in frustration. Kala had received tons of awards, and Lucia could

never catch up, no matter how hard she tried.

In the waiting room before filming began, Kala and Vivienne entered to find Lucia and her sister

occupying the central seats, their bags claiming the chairs beside them as if to mark their territory.

There were six chairs in a row, with only two left on the ends, a clear challenge to their new arrivals.

Used to such pettiness, Kala thought of moving the chairs themselves.

But Vivienne simply stepped forward and asked, “Your bag?”

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Lucy eyed Vivienne with a mix of disdain and curiosity. “Why do you even care?”Books Chapters Are

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Lucia’s sister, Lila, also chuckled, her laughter tinged with condescension. “Can’t believe they let just

anyone on the show nowadays. Look at her, dressed like she’s from a thrift shop. As if being part of a

family of criminals wasn’t embarrassing enough.”

Vivienne responded with a sly smile, her fingers deftly flicking her bag off the chair and onto the floor.

She then gracefully took a seat, patting the stool beside her as she said to Kala, “Take a seat.”

Kala hesitated, her thoughts screaming, “Wasn’t she supposed to listen to me?”

Lucy shrieked, “Do you have any idea how much that bag costs? Can you even afford to pay for the

damages if you scratched it?”

Leaning back, Vivienne crossed her legs with an air of indifference. “That rag of a thing? You think I

care about the price tag on your junk?”

“You!”

At that moment, Stephen walked in with his Grandma, the ever-stylish Paloma Harris, who exuded an

aura of wealth and grace.

Noticing the bag on the chair, she glanced at Lucy and Lila before saying, “My dear, that’s a lovely bag

you’ve got there. It’s so pretty. You should be cuddling it in bed, not letting it collect dust on a chair.”

Her words left Lucia and Lila alternating between shades of red and white, visibly shaken by the old

lady’s sardonic wit.

Vivienne let out a laugh. Grandma Harris was as delightfully sarcastic as ever.

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Lucia, recognizing Stephen, did not dare offend him. He was a big shot, after all, someone you’d want

on your good side.

Stephen was just about to greet Vivienne when her gaze stopped him cold. In an instant, he withdrew

his foot, understanding the unspoken message.

He got it—his boss was here for a slice of real life.

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