The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Madeline's expression turned frosty. "What's Gavin's is mine; we're married. Are you saying I don't even have the right to use his personal security detail now?" Brady, stuck in a hard place, responded, "That's actually the case, ma'am. These are the head of the household's orders. Maybe give him a call? If he agrees to let you take someone, I'll arrange it right away." "Mum," Sophie pouted, stomping her foot lightly. They had finally gotten a lead on Percival's whereabouts, and they couldn't let it slip through their fingers now. If her dad found out, wouldn't all their efforts be wasted? Madeline, patting her daughter's hand to reassure her, casually glanced over at Seaton. "He's not Gavin's personal bodyguard, right? Why don't you join us and bring along a few others with skills comparable to yours?" "You sure know how to pick." Victoria's voice suddenly filled the air. Upon seeing her, Seaton quickly moved to stand behind Victoria. "Sorry, Eliza, I'm the young lady's bodyguard. Without her permission, I can't just go with you." Pleased with Seaton's loyalty, Victoria crossed her arms and stepped forward. "Hear that, Ms. Abernathy? I thought with your age, you'd understand your place by now." "In this family, my father's word is law. Then comes me. You think you can just command my security? Seems like you no longer wish to be part of the Abernathy family!" Harrison, following behind her, raised an eyebrow. Glancing at Victoria, who seemed rather pleased, he subtly observed the situation, his gaze eventually settling on Seaton before returning to a state of calm observance.

At this point, Madeline, visibly shaken by Victoria's words, forced a polite smile in front of Brady. "Victoria, you misunderstood. It was an honest mistake. I thought he was just one of the household guards." Victoria sneered, "Then you must be quite blind." "Sister, how can you say that about Mom?!" Sophie protested. "We're all family here. Isn't it okay to share your security just this once?" Victoria shook her head dismissively. "Don't flatter yourself. We're hardly family. The last thing I need is bad luck from hearing such nonsense in broad daylight." "I have a meeting with Vivienne. Let's not have any mishaps." Her offhand remark caught Sophie's attention. Sophie and Madeline exchanged a glance, and all traces of dissatisfaction vanished from Sophie's eyes; even Madeline dropped her pitiful act.

Leaning closer to Victoria with a hint of intimacy, "You're meeting with Vivienne? I've heard she's not easy to deal with. Why not take your sister along? She could be of help if you run into trouble." "Help? With what?" Victoria eyed Sophie's slender frskeptically. "Help by being a human shield in a fight?" Sophie, almost touching Victoria, retracted her hand. "Sis, you're meeting Ms. Hawthorn, not getting into a brawl. What's this about a human shield? Don't be ridiculous." "It's exactly a brawl I'm walking into." Victoria stated matter-of-factly. Brady, initially there for the , choked on his own saliva upon hearing this, coughing uncontrollably. "Miss, you're planning to fight with who now?" "What's got you so worked up?" Victoria glanced at him, elbowing Harrison. "We have a court session tomorrow. I'm meeting Vivienne to see if we can cto a more lenient agreement. If talks fall through, what else but a fight? After all, someone here isn't keen on jail time, right?" Harrison remained unfazed, his smile never waning. "It's kind of you to go through all this trouble for me, Victoria." Victoria: Gross, I'm getting goosebumps! Seaton: Seems like Victoria would rather see Harrison behind bars.

Brady, still recovering, thought to himself how terrifying their encounter with Vivienne had been. "That might work. But Ms. Hawthorn isn't easy to deal with, and her el.p fiance, Mr. Ellington, is no pushover either. Miss, you and your future brother-in-law should proceed with caution." Victoria's interest peaked. "Oh? You've seen her?" Brady nodded, knowing Victoria would find out everything from Seaton anyway. "We just met with Ms. Hawthorn for negotiations, but Mr. Ellington showed up and things went south." "So, Vivienne and Percival are together now?!" Sophie's excitement renewed, grabbing Victoria's hand without hesitation. "Sis, let's go together. You heard Mr. Abernathy. We'd have each other's backs." Victoria's body stiffened with the urge to push Sophie away but softened her gesture. "You really want to go?" "Absolutely!" If Sophie managed to irritate Vivienne... Then Harrison's case would be the least of their worries. Given Sophie's negligible ability to influence anything, Victoria wasn't worried about her ruining their plans.

Victoria tapped her chin thoughtfully, while the skepticism in Harrison's eyes was almost palpable. She chose to ignore it, feigning obliviousness. "Fine, you're coming withthen. Mr. Abernathy would you kindly arrange for another car? I'prefer not to ride with her." At the hotel's third-floor restaurant, the air was filled with the melodious strains of a violin. The spacious hall had been reserved for them, a large round table set for twenty, though only a few seats were occupied by Vivienne and her company.

Leopold and Thomas were huddled together, their gaze sweeping over the group of five seated across from them. They exchanged looks of disbelief, silently communicating their astonishment.

Thomas whispered, "Didn't you mention that Sophie was all over you recently? Why does it seem like she's taken a fancy to Percival today?" Leopold gritted his teeth slightly. "How would I know what's going on with that woman?!" However, he couldn't deny feeling relieved that she wasn't clinging to him for once. What puzzled him was why Vivienne had invited them to what was supposed to be a private meeting between Percival and Harrison. Were they just here to freeload a meal? "Ms. Hawthorn, I thought we agreed this was going to be an intimate gathering? What's the meaning of this?" Harrison couldn't hide his dissatisfaction, his tone laced with a barely concealed accusation as he glanced at Thomas and Leopold.

Vivienne, focused on her meal and not bothering to look up, shot a glance toward someone attempting to inch closer to Percival. "Didn't you bring your own uninvited guests?"