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.

the lead,

look who it is!

ran up to her, the lead runner suddenly stopped, uttering

9

looked back to see the others catching up, and without missing a beat, grabbed

Vivienne’s delay, they had lost ground and soon

as she addressed a twenty–something, buzz–cut man in front of him, “David, you called back up

just run away! In our line of work, winner takes all. It’s

had walked into

girl who had spoken up for her

certainly

tricked me, why would I be here

she thought about it, the angrier she got!

saying one of her

it was a trap set by David, and they were

bastard brought reinforcements when he couldn’t beat her – and not just one

she supposed to take on

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

is our problem. She’s got nothing to

his eyes lighting

innocent people into our mess. We’ll

from Vivienne, thought for

out a sigh of relief, turning to Vivienne,

a whisper that only Vivienne could hear, “Get word to the Redwood family for me. Tell my dad if he doesn’t do something, he’ll be looking at my corpse tomorrow.”

Vivienne was speechless.

in their

Charlotte had stood up for her at the Hawthorn’s, she figured she could help her out this

and took

The Redwood family wasn’t far, about a five–minute drive.

to run. If she was quick, she could make

other side had twenty people, they

she muttered to herself, “You’d better get here fast, or you won’t have anyone left to look after you.”

for the fight, Vivienne suddenly returned.

frowned, “What are you doing

her mind? Couldn’t she see

already left, why

Vivienne back, who would get

“How much were