The Million-Dollar Heart

Grasping the situation, Percival stopped talking to Leopold, engaging in small talk with Vivienne as they mingled with the various attendees. Before long, Patrick made his way over. "Mr. Ellington, I haven't had the chance to congratulate you two yet. My apologies."

"No need for formalities, Mr. Ashford," Percival replied nonchalantly.

There was an unspoken tension between the two men, a remembrance of an engagement party initially intended for Percival and Gillian.

After exchanging the obligatory business pleasantries, Patrick gestured towards the starboard side of the deck. "Mr. Ellington, since it's your first time here, why not take your lady to enjoy the view from the deck? I can't boast much, but the scenery here is truly top-notch."

"Thank you for the suggestion, Mr. Ashford," Percival accepted graciously.

Patrick offered a wry smile, and with a discreet nod to Vivienne, he excused himself to attend to other guests.

Vivienne glanced towards the deck and tapped her earpiece. "Husky's lady, report in."

"Vivienne, I'm not Husky's lady. I'm a Samoyed, a Samoyed!" Griffin insisted repeatedly.

Samoyed was the code name Griffin had chosen for herself, also known as Angel Smile. She had insisted on having a handle to fit in with the rest.

"You two sure know how to name yourselves. Report your positions."

With a muted grunt, Griffin responded, "Starboard deck, nine o'clock position, and stern, three o'clock position, one 'Morning Glory' each. No other anomalies detected. No new explosives found. Stay sharp." Vivienne nodded and exchanged a knowing look with Percival, and they both discreetly faded into the crowd.

In a lounge area, Yannick was engrossed in conversation with Gillian.

Yannick's eyes, sharp and calculating, roamed over Gillian, his desire increasingly evident.

"Gillian, when Grandma mentioned wanting to match you with Percival, I knew it was wrong. How could someone as cold as him ever deserve you?"

Gillian dodged Yannick's burning gaze, her faux modesty tinged with coyness. "I guess I'm to blame, too. I overestimated myself. I don't know why, but I always seem to give the wrong impression. Those people were really just my friends. I never expected that they would..."

leaned closer to Gillian. "That crowd is even less worthy

all." However, she responded with feigned

perfect in

message

Mara had not been present earlier, Gillian excused herself to find

Gillian left, Yannick surreptitiously sprinkled some powder into her drink, thinking, "A slut playing the innocent? Soon, you won't be able to keep

stern, disguised as a crew member, Mara pulled Gillian aside to a secluded

"Mara, what's this about?"

time to explain, Mara urgently

wanted

advantage of you! He wants to get you pregnant with a Boyd baby so

it. That's why I snuck on board, Gillian. You mustn't go anywhere

still want me to marry Percival? Even after all that's happened, would you still

certainly did not, but she had no choice; securing the Ashford family assets was paramount.

Mara, I have a plan. Help me, and I assure you, by

was taken aback. "What's the

me secretly. When you see Yannick taking me away,

on the railing above, Vivienne overheard

admit that Gillian was rather quick-witted. It was a waste

got all that? Sounds

the comm channel, Vivienne included, could hear each other

chuckled first. "Captain Wolf, sounds

clinked a glass with someone. "Keep it up,