The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Victoria's eyes suddenly sharpened. "I don't have all day to mess around with you. Hand over the recipe now! Kaitlyn, for the life of

me, | can't understand. You've guarded that worthless piece of paper for so long; the Littletons are gone, and yet you cling to it.

What use is it to you? Hand it over to me, and if you're cooperative, I'll ensure your family has a normal life."

Victoria had heard that Kaitlyn possessed a recipe that could bring the dead back to life.

She was determined to get her hands on it.

Kaitlyn, with Amelia held hostage by Walter, was torn inside, her face alternating between shades of pale and flushed.

After a long struggle, Kaitlyn bit her lip and looked up at Victoria, "The recipe is already with Ms. Hawthorn. Even if you kill us, it's

useless to you."

Victoria's face changed color, and then she lunged forward, gripping Kaitlyn's throat, "Do you think I'm a fool, Kaitlyn? You would

rather sell your blood than give it up! What did that Vivienne offer you to make you so compliant?"

Kaitlyn gasped for breath. "She helped me! Of course, I'd give it to her. Why would | give it to someone like you, a high and mighty

venomous woman?"

"You're asking for it!" Something in Victoria's pain was triggered. Her grip on Kaitlyn's neck tightened incrementally.

Just as Victoria almost lost her sanity and was about to strangle Kaitlyn, Walter whispered in her ear, "Madam, this isn't wise."

Victoria's rationality was pulled back at the sound of Walter's voice. Her eyes bore into Kaitlyn's, trying to discern if she spoke the

truth. Seeing Kaitlyn's composed expression, she knew it was true.

She slowly released her grip and then turned to Tyler, her voice cold, "Tell me, did you really give it to Vivienne?"

Tyler nodded. "Yes! She gave us this villa and promised to protect us here in Rivenwood. Kaitlyn gave her the recipe because of

that."

Victoria's face turned ashen with rage. She glared at Kaitlyn, teeth gritted. "Well played!"

Then, to Walter, she said, "Let's go!"

Walter gently let Amelia go, which caught Kaitlyn by surprise. She had thought he would just drop her daughter.

Soon, the sound of a car engine was heard outside, and only when Victoria was truly gone did Kaitlyn breathe a sigh of relief.

She quickly pulled out her cell phone and called Vivienne. But after several tries, there was no answer.

On the third ring, the mechanical voice on the other end made Kaitlyn turn to Tyler with worry, "Do you think Ms. Hawthorn can

really handle Victoria?"

She rubbed her hands nervously, pacing the room, "Victoria's family, the Abernathy family, is one of the top five families. Even the

bigwigs give them respect. Could Ms. Hawthorn possibly..."

Tyler, dizzy from her pacing, shared her concern, "Don't worry. Ms. Hawthorn herself said if Victoria cknocking, we should tell

her the true location of the recipe. She must have a way to deal with Victoria."

Kaitlyn understood this logic. Remembering Victoria's expression when she left, Kaitlyn shivered, "Do you think Ms. Hawthorn is

already facing off with Victoria?"

Tyler shook his head, indicating his ignorance. "Stop worrying. | heard Anna say Ms. Hawthorn is married into the Ellington family.

You've heard of the Ellingtons, right? Even the Abernathys, with all their power, can't touch her."

Meanwhile, at Percival's apartment.

Vivienne and Percival had just escaped the pressing family demands and were catching their breath on the bed when the phone

buzzed on the table.

Vivienne nudged Percival, "Mr. Wolf, could you check who texted?"

Percival rubbed his eyes, sat up, and saw the names. His handsbrow furrowed slightly, "Samantha, that woman, is she from

another planet? She was just at CK Penitentiary this morning, and now she's in Northway City?"

"Samantha?"

Vivienne was particularly sensitive to the nof the female F-Poison.

She jumped up and moved next to Percival.

The message from Matthew was clear and concise. She glanced at it and quickly stood up, "Let's go; | need to get in touch with my

people now."

"Where to?" Percival asked, smiling as he pulled her back.

"To Northway City, to meet my old adversary," Vivienne said just as her phone buzzed again.

She paused, a strange number sitting in her inbox, [Kaitlyn.]

What the heck?

With her mother still unconscious, who was playing these games now?

"What's wrong?" Percival, sensing her unease, dropped his smile.

His eyes landed on the message on Vivienne's phone, and in an instant, his cold eyes flickered, "It seems they're quite worried

about us being idle over there."

Vivienne laughed coldly, pulling back the hand that was on the doorknob, "Then let's play along."

Vivienne was done lounging about; it was tto hit the showers and unwind for the night.

Suddenly, something clicked in her mind, halting her steps. She spun around to face Percival, "What did Uncle Luke say to you

when we left the Perez family's place today?"

Percival's posture stiffened, a flicker of something odd crossing his eyes.

Scooping Vivienne up, he carried her to the bathroom and gently set her down in the bathtub. He fished a small box from his

pocket, his expression an indecipherable mix of amusement and something else, "He gavethis."

Vivienne's gaze darted to the box, instantly heating up at the sight of the familiar logo.

Birth control? Her own uncle gave her husband birth control?

What the heck?

While Vivienne was still processing, Percival slipped into the tub, his pricey suit carelessly peeled off and tossed aside. The sound

of running water filled the bathroom.

Her white sundress was thoroughly soaked through, clinging to her curves, the fabric turning nearly transparent with the wetness.

At the back, her pink lace lingerie was fully on display for Percival's eyes.

The man who had intended to wait until their wedding day to fully consummate their relationship had completely abandoned that

thought once the feast began.

He opened the box, "Uncle Luke said he knows what we've been up to. Toldto be careful, to make sure | don't let my own

pleasure make his darling niece suffer."

Looking at Percival's muscle outlines, Vivienne's cheeks were aflame, yet her eyes sparkled dangerously, her gaze sultry and

enticing, making Percival's throat tighten with desire.

The sound of a zipper was somewhat muffled by the water, but to Percival, it might as well have been right next to his ear,

compelling him to move closer.

Just as he leaned in, a slender finger pressed against his chest, "Mr. Wolf, slow down there. You haven't toldwhat you think."

"Me?"

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