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.

in the lead, she couldn’t help

look who it

they ran up to her, the lead runner suddenly stopped, uttering in surprise, “Miss Vivienne?”

9

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

of Vivienne’s delay, they had lost ground and soon found themselves surrounded.

her, anger flashing in her eyes as she addressed a twenty–something, buzz–cut man in front of him, “David, you called back up because you knew you can’t beat me, huh?

winner takes all. It’s your bad luck running

had walked into

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

certainly a

spat in his direction, “If you hadn’t tricked me, why would I be here with only three people?”

thought about it,

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

set by David,

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

she supposed to take on so many

buddy in the hospital last time. This time,

problem. She’s got nothing to do with it, let her

his eyes lighting up. She was

rolled her eyes, disgusted. “We have rules. Don’t drag innocent people into our mess.

away from Vivienne, thought for a moment,

sigh of relief, turning

Redwood family for me.

Vivienne was speechless.

was suddenly involved in their dispute,

at the Hawthorn’s, she figured she could help her out this

and took

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

to run. If she was quick, she could make it

other side had twenty people, they

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

for the

frowned, “What are you doing back here?”

of her mind? Couldn’t she see

why come

back, who would get her

much were the medical bills