The Million-Dollar Heart

Ashley's outburst had left Vivienne speechless. Took her place?

Rolling up her sleeves with a dramatic flourish, Charlotte slapped Ashley's hand away and planted her hands on her hips, glaring down at her. "Who are you pointing fingers at, huh? Think you're some kind of big shot? I'm the one who's earned the right to speak on behalf of the whole school because I aced every single subject, not you!"

"You think you could've taken my spot without Vivienne's help? Dream on!" Ashley spat back, her pride bruised.

To Ashley's surprise, Charlotte did not retort. "You're right. Without Vivienne's support, I wouldn't have even gotten into the defense academy."

Then, Charlotte gave Ashley a piercing look, then asked Vivienne, "Vivienne, who is she to you?"

Vivienne gave Ashley a once-over. "She's my cousin on my aunt's side."

"I see." Charlotte caught sight of the bewildered Brooks family lingering in the background. She clapped her hands theatrically. "Well, I won't intrude on your little family dinner then. Be sure to hit me up when you're free, okay? I'll let Faye know, deal?"

"Sure." Vivienne nodded.

Griffin, who had been quietly observing, gently tugged Charlotte away, giving Vivienne a knowing wink as if she had much to say.

Arm in arm, they left, with Charlotte tossing over Griffin's shoulder, "You can't let a man walk all over you!"

Vivienne's lips curled into a smirk. So, Charlotte was the mastermind behind Griffin's antics towards Leopold. Tsk, tsk.

Her little protégé was in for a rough ride.

Ashley kept staring at Vivienne as if she was the villain of the century.

Vivienne just shot her a glance and turned to Melissa. "Aunt Melissa, about the dinner..."

"We'll continue," Melissa said, visibly annoyed with her daughter. "Ashley, you can leave if you're not eating. It's like all those years of raising you were for nothing. You're so unreasonable!" With that, Melissa ushered Vivienne back to the private dining room.

more than willing to

reproachful look at Ashley before following

messy hair. "Ashley, dear, Vivienne hasn't wronged you, you know. They've only just met,

buy you all the finest things

the dining

Carl invited Vivienne to watch

accepted with a

a while since she had been to a race, and with Charlotte free for a few days, it was the perfect opportunity to invite

chic racing outfit, her hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail, exuding a sporty elegance as if she

I even brought snacks to set the

view of the start and finish

distance, with a

people just can't

not bothered. Ashley's attitude towards her didn't affect

into his race car, Ashley putting on the helmet that Percival had

but she was not above using her

was positioned on the outer track in third place. At the drop of the flag, seven cars roared off

the thrill of the

grasped her hand, asking softly, "What's wrong,

"One of those seven cars-the engine sounded off. I'm not sure

expression darkened as