The Million-Dollar Heart

After Jerry and his crew had left, Scott's face was a storm cloud as he ascended the staircase and made his way to Vivienne's room.

He rapped on the door, and after a long wait, Vivienne eventually came to open it.

Leaning casually against the door frame, she arched an eyebrow, "You looking for me, Mr. Brooks?"

Scott locked eyes with her, his voice a shade deeper than usual, "Happy with the chaos you've caused?"

Vivienne let out a dry laugh, "Huh! Are you here to settle scores with me?"

Her tone was cool, edged with an unspoken authority.

Scott's brows knitted together. After a long stare, he softened, "Vivienne, I know you're upset about Calista coming back, but I have my reasons that I can't share. Dad's always loved you the most, and I hope you can understand that."

Vivienne's lips twisted into a mocking smile, "Mr. Brooks, are you mistaken? I've always been very understanding."

Her smile had a seductive twist, "I understand the difficulty you face so I agree with bringing Calista back into the Brooks fold and I even went along with canceling the engagement. I've been nothing but accommodating. What more do you want from me, my heart on a platter?"

Scott's expression soured, "If you understand me, then why let your disciples create a scene at the Brooks estate? And why send Richard to hassle Grandpa at the nursing home? The Brooks family has weathered enough storms; I just want some peace."

Rubbing her temples and then crossing her arms, Vivienne looked at him with amusement, "Richard going after Baron was his own doing. My disciples? They can't stand to see me bullied. They were just looking out for me. Is that a problem?"

"Yes, it's understandable," Scott conceded, "but you should still try to calm them down."

Vivienne couldn't help but laugh, "Mr. Brooks, are you losing your cool?"

Scott's heart skipped and cast her a surprised look. Was she onto something?

He fell silent for a moment before asking, "What do you mean?"

With a sly smile, Vivienne probed, "Who do you think is more formidable, me or my mother?"

"You," Scott replied without hesitation.

unique woman

from the heavens seemed to halo her in an

Vivienne was even more astonishing than

hands in her pockets. And with a rogue's grin, she said, "Go prepare for Calista's reunion

for a long while before

skin with fright at the explosion. Learning that it was Vivienne's disciples

to acknowledge her

get to be so

many disciples stood up for her, and even

the Brooks' to be disappointed in her. She huffed to herself with

with

over and everyone knew she was a Brooks, getting Percival would be a piece of

time for Calista's

her best behavior these last few

her banquet. With Baron holding down the fort at the estate, no one dared to make trouble; everyone behaved perfectly. The banquet, held at the Brooks estate, was far more lavish than Vivienne's simple hotel

of

mother, had been making frequent appearances at the estate and taking advantage of

opposed to Mila marrying Scott, she was, after all, Calista's mother. So

banquet was set for the

was

a black dress and leapt out her window, scaling the walls of the Brooks

later, another figure jumped in

with a smile, "Mr.

calls, how can I be anything but

gaze swept over Scott's room, "Thomas and Matthew are keeping Scott occupied; they won't be back up here for half

split

they began a thorough search

had found a safe but not

Percival along for a more extensive

any surprises, this would be her last search of Scott's personal