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.

of the person in the lead,

look who

her, the lead runner suddenly stopped, uttering in surprise, “Miss Vivienne?”

9

catching up, and without missing a beat, grabbed Vivienne and pulled her

had lost ground

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

admit, I can’t take you on! But don’t think you can just run away! In our line of work, winner takes all. It’s your bad luck running into me today! If you’ve got the

was left speechless. She had walked into a street fight?

spoken up for her at the Hawthorn family banquet, from

certainly a

tricked me, why would I be here with

more she thought about it, the

with some friends. But then someone came saying one of her friends had too much to drink, so she

set by David, and they were ambushed.

that bastard brought reinforcements when he couldn’t beat her – and not just one or two,

take on so many people? So, she

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

feud is our problem. She’s got nothing to do

glanced at Vivienne, his eyes lighting

eyes, disgusted. “We have rules. Don’t drag innocent

thought for a

a sigh of relief, turning to Vivienne, “Go,

then, in a whisper that only Vivienne could hear, “Get word to the Redwood family for me. Tell my dad if

Vivienne was speechless.

like that, she was suddenly involved in their dispute, and now she

up for her at the Hawthorn’s, she figured she could

and

go, Charlotte sighed in relief. The Redwood family wasn’t far,

right now, so Vivienne had to run. If she was quick,

Even though the other side had twenty people, they were four. They could hold

she muttered to herself, “You’d better get here fast, or you won’t

was bracing herself for the fight,

“What are you

Couldn’t she

left, why

who would get her message to

Vivienne walked up to David, “How much were the medical bills for