The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the dimly lit grand hall, a woman in a strapless white gown slowly rose from her seat. With her head half- bowed, she took deliberate steps toward the stage where a single spotlight shone, leaving the rest of the space shrouded in semi-darkness.

The guests could hardly make out the identity of the woman ascending the stage. Clad in the white gown, they mistook her for Gillian.

The Boyd family and Patrick sighed in relief, thinking Gillian was adding a dramatic flair to her entrance.

Only when the lights softly illuminated her like a thin veil could the crowd finally see her face clearly.

It was Vivienne! The unexpected twist nearly sent Wendy tumbling out of her wheelchair.

What was happening? Had they not stationed someone at the door to keep Vivienne out? How did she get in? On stage, Percival took out a necklace he had purchased just that afternoon and placed it around Vivienne’s neck.

As soon as the necklace settled, Vivienne’s gown transformed like fireworks, shifting its style entirely in the blink of an eye. The pure white turned into a green reminiscent of rainforest.

The emerald dress made Vivienne look even more dignified and radiant, her usual delicate appearance now infused with a hint of resolve. Yet, in the face of Percival, her tenderness remained undiminished.

To the audience's amazement, the massive screen on stage now displayed a slideshow of Percival and Vivienne’s photos—candid moments captured by Zelda and shared with Vivienne, each displaying their flawless visages.

Holding the microphone with one hand and cradling Vivienne’s face with the other, Percival asked with an uncharacteristically gentle voice, “Vivienne, will you markne?” Vivienne returned his gaze with equal intensity, her lips curving into a smile as she answered, “Yes.” It was undoubtedly a more joyful engagement party than the last one, and they had Wendy to thank for her unintentional sponsorship.

Meanwhile, Wendy was seething on stage, pushing Theodore and Hayden forward. “What are you waiting for? Go find Gillian. Where on earth is she?” At her command, Patrick refrained from questioning; he was too preoccupied. Because Vivienne bore an uncanny resemblance to his boss.

In the makeup room, Gillian and Mara were pounding on the door and screaming for help, but it would not budge.

“Is anyone there? We're stuck. The door won't open—help us!” Five minutes earlier, they had been preparing to make their entrance when they discovered the door was jammed, and to their dismay, their phones had no signal.

Outside, Thomas casually tossed the key into the trash, content to remain behind the scenes.

When Theodore and Hayden arrived, they scrambled to find a staff member to locate a spare key, only to discover the hotel had none to offer. They had no choice but to break down the door.

On stage, with the lights fully bright, Vivienne and Percival stood hand in hand before everyone.

“Thank you all for joining Vivienne andon our special day,” Percival announced with his usual composure.

With a dark glint in her eye, Wendy proclaimed, “The Boyd family will never accept such a daughter-in-law!” As she spoke, the big screen lit up and sent the crowd into an uproar.

The footage was scandalous! Many in the audience looked on with scorn.

“Even for a high-society lady, this is too much!” “Our modest family would not accept this behavior, let alone the Boyds.” “This is outrageous to be seen playing such a gwith so many men!” Wendy smirked at Percival and Vivienne, thinking they had tried to humiliate the Boyds and the Ashfords in vain.

But Vivienne and Percival turned to watch the screen with significant looks.

“Looks like Ms. Ashford is having quite the time,” Vivienne murmured, her voice amplified for all to hear.

Wendy froze and looked at the screen.

Instead of the compromising photos she had prepared, it was Gillian playing a gof passing paper slips with her mouth in a bar, kissing countless men! Patrick’s face turned ashen. He glared at Wendy and said, “The Boyd family sure knows how to surprise people!” Gillian, who had just hurriedly escaped the makeup room, tripped over her gown and fell onto the stage.

She scrambled to her feet, only to see the video of her playing games with her admirers. She nearly fainted.

This was her private video from her phone! How did it end up here? Gillian had always been the epitof grace and beauty in high society, a model of propriety who had never openly dated.

Even Mara was shocked to discover Gillian’s secret revelries.

Percival glanced at Gillian and said dryly, “Miss Ashford, your boyfriends seem to be waiting for you in the audience.” And sure enough, the men from the video were among the guests.

“Gillian, didn’t you say you only liked me? Who are these men in the video, and who are they?!” “Gillian, yesterday night, you were sweet-talkingon the phone, accepting my gifts, promisinga chance.

Who are they, and what's this video about?” “Babe, didn’t you say you felt sick and hit the hay early last night? What's the deal? Aren't you my girlfriend?” The disbelief in the eyes of Gillian’s numerous boyfriends was palpable as they bombarded her with questions.

Each of the young men sitting below her was, without exception, from well-to-do families in Sea City, all around Gillian’s age.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Most of them had met her at various networking evening events.

After entering into a relationship with Gillian, at her insistence, they all agreed to keep it under wraps to avoid their families finding out.

When they first heard from their parents about the engagement party at the esteemed Ashford estate, they were in disbelief, each one of them having confirmed with Gillian herself.

Gillian had reassured them that it was just a formality, not a real engagement party.

But now, it seemed that was not the case at all! As Gillian was cornered with questions, the boys’ parents began to realize their sons had been duped.

And all by the swoman! Sof the parents had already gone to seek an explanation from Patrick, and those who could not afford to offend simply whisked their sons away.

But these young men were full of vigor and not so easily appeased.

After several heated arguments, fists started flying.