The Million-Dollar Heart

Victoria's fragile demeanor was something Vivienne couldn't bear to witness. "Harrison was all set to take this to court with Vivienne, but when he heard about our relationship, he feared a family feud in the courtroom would spoil relations. He also worried I wouldn't be able to integrate into the Ellingtons, so he hoped his cousin would drop the lawsuit voluntarily. After all, no matter how this lawsuit goes, we're bound to win."

She said this with a pointed look at Vivienne, "It would be a shame for all your efforts to end up fruitless."

Vivienne thought to herself, 'Playing the coquette certainly requires talent.'

Percival spoke without a hint of emotion, "Really? We're not afraid of a little discord. Court sounds just fine to me."

"Mr. Ellington perhaps shouldn't indulge Ms. Hawthorn quite so much." Harrison sipped his tea, the picture of calm, "She's young, easily deceived. Hoodwinked by Kaitlyn's spiel, her misplaced sense of loyalty is understandable. But should Mr. Ellington really turn against his own kin for a woman with no blood ties?

Besides, the matter at hand, no matter how you slice it, is between Kaitlyn and me. Mr. Ellington and Ms. Hawthorn, sticking your noses in, doesn't seem quite right."

Vivienne's retort was nonchalant, "I have money to spare, and I enjoy it. Do you have a problem with that?"

Her delicate chin tilted ever so slightly, a mix of haughtiness and charm.

Richard watched, a smile growing in his eyes. That's our Vivienne, he thought, always standing up for the underdog, far better than that icy-faced grandson of mine!

the lawsuit's already filed; there's no talk of backing down now. Let the young one help if she wants. If the case is a lost cause as you claim, it'll be a lesson learned for her. Don't

lips, eyes sweeping over the assembly

Anyone with half a brain could tell his

All those Harrison had approached, overtly or covertly, dared not criticize Percival. Was the courtroom really his only option left? Vivienne's barely concealed

not prove it in court? No man would relish being labeled a scoundrel, right, Mr. Wolf?" She

away, her cheeks aching from suppressed

was turning beet-red, yet Percival seemed to think it wasn't enough. He leaned in close to Vivienne, his words clear in the hushed study, "You're wrong, Vivienne. Some shameless men quite enjoy their scoundrel reputation. But Harrison is surely not one of them. Otherwise, how could he have married into the Abernathy family? Chosen personally by

room, especially in Richard, whose expression

Harrison had never wanted to distance himself from Gavin more than

with Vivienne and Percival there, lying

further, "Enough!" Richard interrupted coldly before he could finish his excuse, "There's no need for all this pretense if you're honest. If any of it's true, I'll

situation had spiraled beyond what Harrison had anticipated. His heart plummeted, recalling the panic he felt when he first took over his family's

How could this happen?!

Holly the most? How could he remain so indifferent

rose with Richard, offering her arm to the old man. Before leaving, she glanced back at Harrison, "Karma always catches up with those who walk a crooked path. You couldn't

left with

a glint in her eye that was