The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne's fingers, long and slender, grazed the hem of his pajama top, causing the loose button to give way and revealing the solid chest beneath.

Vivienne shifted, resting her head on his shoulder, "I never had any intention of going."

She gave a muffled groan as his hands began to roam over her, "Tomorrow, we've got other, more important matters to attend to."

Percival arched an eyebrow, "Oh? Like what?"

With a light chuckle, Vivienne's long legs swung over, positioning her atop him. Her eyes, seductive as she smiled, the crimson at the corners enough to make Percival's Adam's apple bob twice in quick succession.

Noticing his movement, Vivienne's smile grew, "Mr. Wolf, you still owe me for this month's dues."

As her words trailed off, Percival's lips captured the remaining whispers. Beneath the inky expanse of the duvet, the contours rose and fell.

The boundless fervor of spring spread throughout the master bedroom, while outside, even the moon shyly hid behind the clouds.

But.

For some, joy abounds; for others, woes mount.

from sleep

unleashed all the morning fury he couldn't vent on Vivienne upon Kipling, sparing no courtesy, "You really think you're something, don't you, Kipling Abernasy! Stirring up trouble, offering your unwelcome help everywhere! That harassment case involving the female student has been dead for years,

online comments made his blood boil, "Her parents making a scene is one thing, but what's with you, causing a ruckus?! With all your selfless dedication, why don't you address the sky-high meal costs at north side? Complaint letters are piling up here, and at this critical moment, you choose to slack off and play dumb?!

influx of young blood these past few

picked up such rhetoric from who knows where, lambasted Kipling with

face like mine, even if I tried to make a splash, I'd get nowhere. I just felt pity for Zinnia and her daughter, wanted to lend a hand. After all, that kid's troubles

Julian? Do you have any evidence that

Bureau to take you in! But they wouldn't want you either. Someone who bases their investigations on guesswork could cause countless miscarriages of justice. The workload for our

was sarcastic and

truth of the matter obvious? Besides, if Kaitlyn wants to sue, let her. It's a losing battle from the start. In the end, it

light?" Niko was nearly amused to death by Kipling's audacity. He paced the study several times, his gaze catching the online uproar. He stopped and sneered, "Alright, you say you want to do the department a favor, huh? Well, let me tell you, if you win this lawsuit, all's well. But if you lose, you can kiss your director position goodbye! Our department's got plenty of folks eyeing that seat!" With that,

Kipling was taken aback by the ultimatum. Once he collected himself, his expression darkened. The

me! Are you just

day, I'll pull you down from that throne! Thinking of

in his eyes. He watched the break of

Kaitlyn?

the Grimshaw families, you still think you can challenge me?

the sun touched the earth, the online controversy about the case had reached a fever pitch, with comments from all sides-insults, skepticism, and those just there for the

up and immediately checked her app for

in, she sensed something off-someone dared to sue Kipling, the