The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

When Percival arrived, he took one look at the ballroom’s opulent decor—streamers of gold and silver, crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the sparkling crowd—and his face gradually darkened.

He stepped into the fray, and a crowd of well-dressed socialites immediately swarmed him.

“Mr. Ellington, what a surprise to see you gracing Sea City with your presence! Why didn’t you tellyou were coming? | would've loved to treat you to dinner.” “Mr. Ellington, you really should've givena heads-up about your visit. After the success of our last collaboration, | would have rolled out the red carpet for you!” “And if anyone's going to roll out the red carpet, it should befirst. Mr. Ellington, Are you free tomorrow night?” The crowd pressing around him represented the crde la crof Sea City’s various industries, all of whom had previous dealings with the Ellington Group.

Percival handled the greetings with a practiced grace until Hayden made his way through the crowd.

“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, | must borrow Percival for a moment. After the festivities, we'll find tto gather. My treat, agreed?” Everyone understood that Percival was the man of the hour that evening, and naturally, no one objected.

After all, with Percival there, who would dare to interfere? Hayden led Percival away to a private lounge in the back.

Wendy sat in a wheelchair, having missed her window for optimal treatment, resigned to a life bound to her chair.

“Percival, | assyou know what tonight is all about. ‘A play your cards right and get engaged to Gillian, we can all live peacefully. But if you refuse, well, don’t say | not warn you.” Percival chuckled at Wendy's threat. “And what are you going to do?” Wendy smirked and waved her hand dismissively. Theodore produced a tablet; on it were scandalous photos of Cecilia and Vivienne.

Percival’s eyes narrowed, a chill radiating from him. “Threatening me?” Was it that his hands had been too clean for too long? Did the Boyd family really think they could use doctored photos to threaten him? Wendy chuckled, “I know my daughter better than anyone. I'm aware of every mole on her body, so what if the photos are fake? | have plenty of ways to prove that it's Cecilia. As for Vivienne, it's enough that her face is recognizable. Even if you clear things up later, the damage will have been done. Are you willing to gamble with your mother and Vivienne’s reputations?” Percival looked at her, his gaze dispassionate.

After a moment, he straightened his cufflink with an air of indifference, his expression unreadable.

“Percival, have you thought it through?” Wendy pressed, seeing his silence.

Percival stopped fidgeting with his sleeves, hands in his pockets, his tailored suit accentuating his lean figure. He spoke slowly, “I'll attend the engagement party.” He paused, then added with a hint of a slow drawl, “I hope you can handle the consequences.” With that, he left the lounge.

As Wendy watched Percival’s retreating figure, an inexplicable panic settled in her heart.

The others did not think much of it, simply impressed by Wendy's power to make Percival concede.

Hayden exhaled in relief. “Mom, that was... pretty cutthroat.” Defaming his daughter and a twenty-year-old girl was something he could never do.

Wendy scoffed, unconcerned. “What does it matter? Once Percival and Gillian are engaged, the Ashford family will be locked into a partnership with us. And Vivienne will be too ashamed to stay once she sees her fiancé engaged to another. Without Percival, what is she worth? She'll be at my mercy!” She would never forgive Vivienne for making her wheelchair-bound for life! Teresa muttered under her breath, “Gillian knew Percival was engaged and still chased after him. Wouldn't it be easier to just pair Yannick with Gillian?” “Shut your mouth!” Wendy snapped, throwing a furious hand in Teresa's direction.

On the sidelines, Nancy could not help but revel in the drama.

In the dressing room, Gillian had touched up her makeup and clasped Mara’s hand affectionately.

“Mara, Mr. Ellington will surely agree to get engaged tonight, right? | can’t have any more complications. This is what I've been looking forward to the most.” Mara comforted her, “Don’t worry, Grandma has everything under control. After tonight, we'll be family, and | could not be happier.” too.” Outside the ballroom, Vivienne listened to the excited voices through her earpiece, her lips curling into a smile.

Yes, she, too, was thrilled beyond words.

Dressed in a simple gown, she handed her invitation to the attendant at the door.

Not recognizing Vivienne but seeing the invitation, the attendant let her in.

After Vivienne went it, Margot finally returned from having her fill of fun and replaced the attendant, knowing that she would be reprimanded if her family found out she had been missing from her post.

Vivienne found a seat in the ballroom and looked at the screen displaying photos of Percival and Gillian, her lips twitching into a smirk.

When the tcame, the engagement party officially began.

Eliza pushed Wendy onto the stage, delivering a string of pious blessings and thanks, then announced the arrival of the main attractions.

To prevent any sabotage from Percival, they had cunningly separated him from Gillian, placing them on opposite sides of the stage to avoid suspicion.

The spotlight shone on the front door, and melodious background music began to play. The doors opened slowly.

Guided by the light, Percival stepped forward, making his way to the stage.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Dressed to the nines, exuding a refined and dignified charm, it seemed as though every flattering adjective in the English language could be lavished upon him.

His profile was as sharply defined as a sculpture, reminiscent of the sun god Apollo, a mysterious and radiant presence descended among mortals.

The young ladies in the audience sighed in secret disappointment. Such a dashing gentleman, and yet, taken in the prof his youth! Perhaps Percival’s extraordinary presence made everyone momentarily forget that the leading lady, Gillian, had yet to make her appearance.

Only when Percival stood alone on the stage did the realization dawn upon the crowd.

Where was the bride-to-be? Wendy could never have imagined that the issue would lie with Gillian.

She cast a questioning glance at Patrick, who looked equally perplexed.

Ever since Gillian had arrived, she had been resting in the dressing room, waiting for her cue to join him on stage. How could she not appear at the appointed time? Eliza tried to smooth things over with a light-hearted comment, “Is our Gillian feeling a bit shy? Con out, dear, don't keep your handsgroom waiting.” Despite her coaxing, there was still no sign of Gillian, and even Mara, who had been by her side, was nowhere to be found.

A ripple of confusion spread through the crowd. Could it be that Gillian had gotten cold feet? At that moment, Percival took the microphone from Eliza’s hand and called out to the assembly, “My bride-to-be, no more playing hide and seek.” His voice, magnetic and alluring, echoed through the hall, sending a flutter through the hearts of the women present.