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!

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 worry, with me around,

eyes sweeping over the assembly

them. Anyone with half a brain could tell his heart was

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

in court? No man would

away, her cheeks aching

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 Gavin, no

emphasized the last part, causing a visible shift in the room, especially in Richard, whose

distance himself from Gavin more than

Vivienne and Percival

"There's no need for all this pretense if you're honest. If any

anticipated. His heart plummeted, recalling the panic he felt

How could this happen?!

could he remain

of yours." Vivienne 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 earn the trust of the Littleton parents back then; you can't

left with a light

a glint in her eye that was hard to decipher-was it mockery or pity for