The Million-Dollar Heart

Percival stepped out of the bathroom, drying his hair, his muscular chest outlined by the sleek fabric of his silk pajamas. Even though he knew Vivienne couldn't see him, he nodded in agreement and hummed in response.

Glancing down at his phone, it was flooded with thirty messages, half of which were from Richard. A fleeting look of resignation crossed Percival's eyes as he read through them all. Instead of annoyance, a chuckle escaped him. "The Abernathys are hosting a family reunion for Victoria and Grandpa tomorrow."

"Again?" Vivienne, putting her phone aside and rolling into bed, was puzzled. "Didn't we do this already? Didn't Harrison tell Gavin?"

Handing over his phone, Percival's answer was clear without words, "If he had, we wouldn't be in this mess. The Abernathys' drama is deeper than we thought."

After skimming through Richard's messages and beyond, even Kenneth Ellington couldn't help but scoff at the Abernathys' shamelessness. It seemed he had had his own run-ins with them, his texts brimming with disdain.

Returning the phone, Vivienne pulled Percival down beside her, "Let's not drown in their whirlpool. When the big fish shows up, we'll be ready."

As they settled down, Percival, with a swift move, hovered above her, not at all surprised by her unfazed gaze. His hands caressed her soft cheeks, a ticklish sensation spreading through her veins, making her flush and nuzzle against his palm in a playful surrender.

Percival found her gesture incredibly endearing, his gaze deepening. Impatient, Vivienne pulled him closer for a kiss, their lips meeting in a moment that drowned out the sound of the rain and their muffled laughter.

of the Ellington family showed up. Victoria, as the granddaughter, sat beside Richard, facing the emissaries sent by Gavin from across a long table, a scene reminiscent of two opposing forces, with

for the separation between you and your granddaughter for so long, my lady. The mistress's illness had kept

at Brady, causing him to sweat, "It's been years, and to think the Abernathys have all turned mute. Quite frankly, I

insult was not lost on the attendees; Brady, having been a stalwart beside Gavin for years, struggled to find a retort, merely shifting the subject. "Speaking of which, we've heard the Ellington heir has gotten engaged. Why hasn't Percival made an appearance? He is, after all, our Miss's cousin; surely, he

what right does an underling from the Abernathys have to demand respect

Brady's darkening expression to respond, Kenneth

merely nodded, not bothering to hide his agreement, "A rotten tree yields crooked branches. Gavin's no

turning to Victoria with

you, dear. You're

lif

in

if she wanted any part Gavin's legacy! Victoria would've agreed on the spot if not

well, I do share my father's genes. But it's okay if Percival's busy. I

up yesterday," was the swift