The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gavin was fuming at Vivienne's words. Cursing her audacity, he regretted ever thinking of striking a deal with this woman. The memory of his mother's ashes turning to dust made him stand abruptly, his smile twisted as he said, "Since you're not willing to help, don't blme for not being nice!" "Last time, for my mother's sake, Vivienne, let's settle our scores today!" With a gesture from Gavin, the bodyguards surrounding them were about to surge forward.

Vivienne's gaze was icy, but she showed no sign of panic.

Before anyone could move, the door of the private room was kicked open with a bang. Percival strode in with Leopold and others, "Who are you trying to settle scores with?!" Behind him, a dozen bodyguards in black suits followed into the room, encircling Gavin and his men.

With an effortless stretch of his arm, Percival showed no regard for Gavin's crew. He pulled Vivienne behind him, his eyes filled with concern, "Are you alright?" Vivienne pushed him gently, "Mr. Wolf, have you forgotten our training sessions together?" "You've sparred with Percival?" Leopold peeked out from behind, not worried about Vivienne getting hurt. His Vivienne was invincible. The men Gavin had stood no chance against her. It was only Percival who was overly concerned.

Percival's face briefly stiffened, a crack appearing in his icy demeanor. Glancing at Leopold dispassionately, he said, "Our marital affairs are none of your business." In saspects, Vivienne did protect her husband's dignity. Their private training sessions, where she hadn't beaten her husband, were their own secret enjoyment. No need to share that with Leopold.

So, when Leopold looked bewilderedly threatened, she felt no sympathy. Blinking to signal him to stay out of it, she turned back to face Gavin with Percival, "Mr. Wolf, just now, Gavin was suggesting I shouldn't offend them." Percival replied, "So what if you offended them? A beaten dog, nothing to fear." "Percival, don't push it!" Being overpowered by a junior, especially one from the Ellington family, filled Gavin with resentment and dissatisfaction. He had struggled for so long to reach his current position. Why should Percival easily inherit the position within the Ellington family? The more he thought about it, the more jealous he became. Gavin's eyes narrowed, "I am, after all, your elder! Is this how Richard taught you? No manners, showing no respect to your elders..." Before he could finish, a knife whizzed past Gavin's temple! A strand of his white hair fluttered to the ground as the knife, after flying through the air, thudded into the double-pane glass of the tea house! Leopold's eyes widened: Awesome! Thomas quickly pushed his stunned friend back a few steps: There's a murderous aura, not safe to stay here.

Only Vivienne, with stars in her eyes, looked at Percival, "Mr. Wolf, not bad. Your throwing knife skills have improved. But, no blood was drawn." Percival's eyebrows lifted, his cold gaze warming for a moment as it swept over Vivienne. Then, turning back to Gavin, his expression was ice-cold again, "You don't deserve to be my elder!" "This is a warning." Percival's gaze was intimidating, making Gavin, despite being of similar age to Victoria, feel an inexplicable fear, "Next time, Gavin, this knife will pierce through your skull!" After saying this, as it even glancing it Gavin dirtied his eyes, Percival quickly looked away and left the oom with Vivienne. The dozen men leparted as swiftly as they had Irrived. The previously crowd ne oom was now empty again, deaving Seaton swallowing hard. His glance it Gavin, trying not to notice Gavin's rembling legs and the cold sweat on his forehead. ¡wAfter what seemed like an eternity, Gavin finally moved, the middle-aged man taking a step forward with difficulty. Making sure he wouldn't embarrass himself by falling, he then roared with a cold voice, "Percival! You just wait!" Seaton thought to himself that et whether Percival would wait or not was unknown, but if Victoria heard about this, she'd probably die laughing. At this moment, he also pondered the question Vivienne@had raised. Why did Gavin becthe head of the family in the first place? How could Gavin's intelligence give rise to such a... perplexing character? These questions remained hidden in his mind. Long after the Abernathy family's fall, the mystery remained unsolved. But now was not the tfor that.

Seeing Gavin enraged, Brady cleverly approached, "Master, we can't get through to Vivienne. But there's another path we can take." He paused, startled by Gavin's gaze, then whispered in Gavin's ear upon his signal, "We can't touch Vivienne. How about we go after Dorian Hawthorn, and Kaitlyn's in-laws? I heard those two old fools are still running to the hospital for checks." Gavin's pupils constricted. The Littleton's old couple aside, Vivienne's father... Thinking of the big hole behind his mother's tombstone, Gavin's hatred surged uncontrollably. But the thought of the Grimshaw family made him suppress his urge. Feelin somewhat dejected, he shook his head, "No, Vivienne, that stubborn girl. If things go south, the Grimshaws won't let us off the hook." et After a pause, Gavin said in a deep voice, "Wait forto pay a visit to the Grimshaws. Take these people back with you, and we'll discuss everything upon my return." With Gavin's word, Brady, his subordinate, naturally had no choice but to comply. They went their separate ways after leaving the coffee shop, and by the tBrady returned to the Abernathy estate with a group of bodyguards, Madeline and Sophie excitedly greeted them.

Seeing the people following him, her eyes sparkled, "I knew it! I was wondering where all our top guys had gone. So, they were with you." "I actually need a few of them. Let them accompanyon a trip," she said, reaching out to grab the nearest bodyguard.

The young man in black, wearing sunglasses, dodged slightly, looking towards Brady for guidance. Despite the sunglasses masking his expression, Seaton could sense the question in his movement.

And Brady was in a dilemma. These were Gavin's personal bodyguards. Without his orders, not even Madeline, let alone Victoria, could command them. But seeing Madeline's expression, he knew refusing her today might lead to her badmouthing him to Gavin later.

However, what he feared the least was gossip, "Ma'am, I'm sorry. Without the head of the household's instructions, I can't allow you to take them." Brady shifted, positioning himself in front of Madeline, "If you wish to go out, I can arrange for other bodyguards for you." But how could any ordinary bodyguards stand against the might of the Ellington family's protectors?