The Million-Dollar Heart

Leopold, the leader of the first squad, knew the unwritten leadership rules all too well. So, it stood to reason that Percival, the head honcho of the entire task force, would be even more clued in. But now, even Leopold's moves were being curtailed, never mind the liberty of the whole special squad.

Percival set aside the application form he had been holding, tapping his polished fingertip on the signature line. "Why don't you take this up with the boss yourself?"

The rage on Leopold's face fizzled out in an instant.

Would he dare?

For someone even Percival called "boss," he was just a small fry; there was no way he would throw himself into the shark's jaws.

Leopold slumped into his chair, rubbing his temples in frustration.

After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "Boss didn't even ask you before signing off on this? Why didn't you go to him first?"

Percival took a sip of his sweet fruit juice and said, "He said since Fiona's my flesh and blood, having me sign could give someone leverage over me. If anything went sideways, there would be no one to cover for me, so he just went ahead without telling me."

Leopold's jaw worked silently, failing to snap shut.

Every word Micah said was for Percival's sake. How could anyone argue with that?

Unable to sit still any longer, Leopold cursed under his breath, stood up, and stormed out. He slammed the door behind him, not caring if he would end up getting a beating.

This was just too damn suffocating.

Percival neatly filed the application form away and glanced up at Vivienne, his eyes usually icy, now melting with a certain warmth. "Vivienne, shall we go have a look?"

Vivienne rose, taking the fruit juice from Percival's hand, and sipped the rest through the straw. "Yeah, let's check it out."

Inside the Ellington family's private hospital.

cries, one could have thought her daughter Fiona was already

when she went in, and now she's in the ICU. Can you imagine her suffering? It's all Vivienne's fault. If not for her, my girl wouldn't be like this. Dad, even if you're mad at your son, you can't

tears, laid the blame thickly on Vivienne,

the things Henry did, Fiona and Jeffrey weren't involved at all. I'm just an Ellington by marriage; you can ignore me, but my children are Ellingtons by blood. If you don't step up, we three might as well die now and

forehead knotted in irritation. He had never approved of Heloise marrying Henry, knowing she was not the type to settle

fortune to keep such a woman out if he had known

tugged at Heloise's sleeve on the hospital bed, her complexion ashen. "Mom, please leave us. I want

stop her theatrics. She left, allowing Fiona to make her

more she made a scene, the more reasonable Fiona appeared. That was the

yourself like before, I'll disown you," Heloise warned before slamming

and when she opened them again, they were rimmed red with distress. She turned to Richard. "Grandpa, this mess is my fault. It has nothing to do with Percival or Vivienne."

Percival had his own fish to fry

not just a simple case of financial fraud; it was bound

his way of doing things, and Fiona would not be wrongfully

that you're out, live your life well. I won't let you down.

ashamed to stay with the Ellington family. Once I'm better, let Mom, Jeffrey, and me leave Rivenwood. As for Dad... Grandpa, can you spare him?" Richard did not immediately agree, nor did he have the heart to outright refuse. He could not forgive his

before Isolde was born,

on her, the only girl

always been self-reliant, never troubling the family, and had a knack for

butted heads with Percival, she focused on

have welcomed her back

What a pity...

recovery. Stay here. In a little while, your uncle will return, and you'll have to meet him. He's always