The Million-Dollar Heart

The moment Leopold spoke, the car fell into a silence that stretched for a full thirty seconds.

Vivienne looked up at Leopold with a hint of exasperation in her eyes. Her junior always had a knack for being clever at the most inconvenient times.

Some things, even if you know them, you just don't blurt out!

Realizing he might have put his foot in it, Leopold met Matthew's disapproving gaze and chuckled awkwardly, trying to change the subject. "So, what do we do now? Head over to the YQ Research Center first?"

Vivienne nodded. "Let's drop Holly off there first. She can't hold on much longer with just the meds I've been giving her. The lab's equipment is state-of-the-art, and with Brody there to help out, I can run some tests and stabilize her condition. Then, we need to focus all our efforts on dealing with the Abernathys!"

Neither Leopold nor Matthew objected to the plan.

Percival, who had regained his composure, gripped Vivienne's hand tightly, "Leave Gavin to me! I want to avenge Aunt Holly myself!"

YQ Research Center.

The soft blue floor lights flickered overhead. The roar of the rain and thunder was swallowed by the soundproof walls.

Behind the frosted glass doors, Percival and Leopold could only make out the vague silhouettes of two people inside.

"Hey, what's going on in there?" Enzo sidled up to Leopold, nudging his elbow.

The touch was met with an impatient brush-off, and Leopold held a finger to his lips, "Keep it down, will you? Come outside; I'll fill you in."

He cast a surreptitious glance at the stone-faced Percival and gestured for Enzo to follow him out of the lab.

chose to ignore them and pulled out a beer from seemingly nowhere. "Relax, with

eyes flickered. "I

thinking, "If you know, then why are you still sitting here like

brow as she received the shiny forceps, her gloves stained with blood. Brody glanced more than once at the woman lying on

had first been brought in, he thought

she was Percival's aunt, he was

woman, cleaned up yet with cheeks hollowed

the day when the Ellington family heiress would be reduced to

of a miracle. If Vivienne hadn't brought her back from that remote village they mentioned, she probably wouldn't have

wasn't sure he could

blink as she replied, "It'll

in surprise. "Sometimes I really wonder just how advanced

sounds in the room were the ticking of the surgical instruments and

all the tools back on the tray, and

passageway. "Tomorrow morning, someone will come to take care

patient was well within his capabilities. Plus, he was curious to see how

"How did it go?"

with a ding. Leopold and Enzo, who had returned from outside, along with Matthew and Percival, who had

a gentle smile. "The surgery was a success, and Aunt Holly's condition is stable. Now, it's all about recovery.

him, "She needs time to heal and further treatment later. Right now, our focus is on

palm warmed

a faint smile as he looked at Vivienne, his expression softening with tenderness that Leopold and the other bachelors couldn't quite understand. Matthew spoke up, "Vivienne,

get back soon, I

Vivienne nodded. "Let's go."