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..."

Yannick leaned closer to Gillian. "That

thought, "You're the least worthy of all." However, she responded with feigned shyness, "Do you really think that,

perfect

with a message from Mara, asking her to meet

been present earlier, Gillian excused herself to

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

disguised as a crew member, Mara

"Mara, what's this about?"

urgently asked, "Were

he wanted

planning to... to take advantage of you! He wants to get

I snuck on board, Gillian. You mustn't

her mind. "Mara, do you still want

no choice; securing the Ashford family assets was

have a plan. Help me, and I

aback. "What's

When you see

above, Vivienne overheard their

to admit that Gillian was rather quick-witted. It was a waste that she was not a

said, "Mr. Wolf, you got all that? Sounds like a foolproof plan-catching a turtle in a

the comm channel, Vivienne included,

first. "Captain Wolf, sounds like Vivienne's calling you a

voice was surprisingly upbeat as he clinked a glass with someone. "Keep it up, and you're