The Million-Dollar Heart

Chapter 40

Vivienne and Isolde were munching on cake when they finally decided on where to eat dinner.

They went for French cuisine!

Given that Isolde was a kid, they ordered some dishes on the lighter side.

By the time they finished dinner, it was already eleven o’clock. Isolde was feeling a bit tired and wanted to head back to get some sleep.

Percival suggested that Thomas should give Vivienne a ride home, but Vivienne refused.

She wanted to take a stroll around the city alone.

Living up in the mountains for a decade, she didn’t get to experience the hustle and bustle of city life. Even on the rare occasions she came down to the city, she would always finish the business, and then head straight back.

The weather was quite nice today, with a cool breeze that made her feel super comfy.

Percival insisted on escorting her home, but Vivienne was adamant about going alone.

In the end, Percival caved in, only reminding her, “Send me a text when you get home, just so I know you’re safe.”

“Alright.”

Thanks to spending the day with Isolde and the delicious strawberry cake, Vivienne was starting to warm up to Percival. She wasn’t as frosty as before and even managed a small smile.

After Percival and the others left, Vivienne started to make her way home.

Tranquil Estates was close to downtown. It was no more than a fifteen–minute stroll.

But Vivienne took her time, taking in the sights of the bustling city.

Halfway home, she was jolted out of her thoughts by frantic shouts from behind her, “Outta the way! Outta the way!

Vivienne turned around to see a group of people running towards her, with another group of stick–wielding folks hot on their heels.

person in the lead, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

look who it is!

ran up to her, the lead runner suddenly

9

the others catching up, and without missing a beat, grabbed Vivienne and pulled

of Vivienne’s delay, they had lost ground

behind her, anger flashing in her eyes as she addressed a twenty–something, buzz–cut man in front of him, “David, you called

takes all. It’s your

had walked into a street

character was Charlotte, the girl who had spoken up for her at the Hawthorn family banquet,

certainly a surprise.

his direction, “If you hadn’t tricked me, why would I

she thought about it, the angrier she got!

one of her friends had too much to drink, so she and three

trap set by David, and they were

David to a one–on–one, but that bastard brought reinforcements when he couldn’t beat her – and

to take on so many

chat! You put my buddy in the hospital last time. This time, you’re leaving with a broken leg.

our problem. She’s got nothing to do with it, let her go.” Charlotte pointed at Vivienne.

glanced at Vivienne, his eyes

“We have rules. Don’t drag innocent people

thought for a

a sigh of relief, turning to Vivienne,

to the Redwood family for me. Tell my dad if he doesn’t do something, he’ll

Vivienne was speechless.

their dispute, and now

Hawthorn’s, she figured she could help her out this once.

and

sighed in relief. The Redwood family wasn’t far, about a five–minute

to run. If she was quick, she could make it in ten minutes.

confident in her abilities. Even though the other side had twenty people,

“You’d better get here fast, or you won’t have

Charlotte was bracing herself for the

“What are you doing back

Vivienne out of her mind? Couldn’t she

why come back?

more importantly, with Vivienne back, who would get her message

walked up to David, “How much were the