The Million-Dollar Heart

She was raising a ruckus, utterly oblivious to the fact that the crowd behind her had suddenly parted like the Red Sea, creating a clear path.

Vivienne, with Leopold at her side, approached leisurely, her voice cool as a cucumber when it finally reached Raquel's ears, "I own this place. Got a problem with that?" The woman's body shook, and she hastily sidestepped. Her beady eyes sized up Vivienne, taking in her stunning beauty, and a flicker of envy passed through her gaze. "Who the heck are you?! You think you can sass me?" Raquel's husband was a small-time entrepreneur, his bread and butter being a trendy nightclub.

The business had finally taken a turn for the better over the years, and they managed to snag a quaint villa in Maple Town. Aside from her card games and shopping sprees, Raquel wasn't known for much. She didn't recognize a single name from the prominent Rivenwood families and, puffing out her chest, was ready to give Vivienne a piece of her mind, "With that foxy look of yours, what are you but some homewrecker? Shouldn't you be hiding at home instead of flaunting yourself around? Absolutely repulsive!"

"What did you say, you ugly bitch? " Leopold exploded at her words, fiercely protective of Vivienne, "Say one more thing about Vivienne, I dare you!"

Raquel might have the guts to sass Vivienne, but she wouldn't dare with Leopold. She was well aware that Leopold was the young master of the Sterling family.

"Look at you, all scared. And you have the nerve to come to my Vivienne's villa and cause trouble?" Leopold glanced at Raquel and casually tossed the two little rascals he was holding at her feet, "These troublemakers, did you send them to the Littletons? So young and always sneaking around, up to no good. Now I see, 'Like aunt, like nephews.' What kind of property management lets such trash move in, spewing garbage all over the place?"

"This... this..." Elwood was at a loss for words.

Seeing her two nephews thrown to the ground, Raquel's face turned green with rage. She raised her hand and lunged at Vivienne, "You wench! I'll kill you!"

"Bring it on!" Leopold had been itching for a fight!

With a swift move, he stepped in front of Vivienne.

He caught Raquel's flailing wrist, twisted her arm with practiced ease, and pinned it behind her back.

Raquel screamed in pain, but Leopold was no gentleman.

and let go of her arm, sending her sprawling toward

nephews, seeing their chance, scrambled away, afraid that the woman's hefty frame would come crashing down

it swept over

in front of her, "These injuries on this young girl, Amelia, and the whip marks on Tyler's back, you had people do that?" The photos

normally fair and tender face was marred with bruises and handprints, her arms covered in chilling purple

male-Elwood happened to be standing right behind Raquel and gasped

that even human

the 21st century, who still bears

around the wounds was raw and turned inside out,

smile chilling, "Three hours ago, you sent men to the Littletons'. For an hour,

Percival had stumbled upon upon reaching the Littletons' temporary villa sent shivers down her

her they were a step too late. By the time their team had arrived, Amelia and Tyler had been cornered in their home, a tall woman lashing Tyler's back

barely able to stand, let alone fight back against Raquel's onslaught

been crying so hard the entire villa echoed with

to Draven, if Flynn had been any later, Tyler and Amelia might not have

I didn't! Stop slandering me,

banner behind her, "What are you waiting for?! Grab her now! Let

Ancient warrior lineage again?

Vivienne's brow furrowed slightly.

increasingly wild, "Scared, are you?! Too late, vixen. Today, I'm going to peel your skin off! Daring to stand up for that cursed family,