The Million-Dollar Heart

At 7 p.m., Vivienne was lounging in the living room, indulging in a slice of strawberry cheesecake, when Griffin's call came through.

His voice sounded muffled, as if he was speaking through cotton, "Vivienne..."

"Yeah, what's up?" she responded, her voice casual as she took a generous bite of her cheesecake.

There was a noticeable pause on Griffin's end before he took a deep breath. "Vivienne, how is she doing?"

"Who are you asking about?" Vivienne queried, feigning ignorance.

Griffin seemed to freeze for a moment, almost on the verge of breaking down. "Vivienne, please don't torture me like this. You know the situation with my family. I know I'm taking a gamble, but I just can't help feeling anxious..."

Vivienne set down her fork, her tone turning slightly stern, "If you've decided to gamble, then stick to your guns. Doubting yourself won't help."

After a moment of silence, Griffin softly replied, "I understand, Vivienne."

Percival emerged from the kitchen with ribs just as Vivienne hung up, her attention still partially on the half-eaten strawberry cheesecake.

He swiftly reclaimed the remaining half, meeting her protective gaze with a resigned, "Let's eat first."

Glancing at the confiscated cake, Vivienne reluctantly gave in, knowing all too well that only Mr. Wolf's strawberry cheesecake tasted that divine. The difference between having a cake every day and occasionally was clear to her.

During dinner, Vivienne casually asked, "Mr. Wolf, how long do you think Abigail can hold out?"

Percival served her some greens without hesitation, confidently stating, "Not much longer. The one in a hurry isn't us, it's her." Vivienne nodded, discreetly topping her greens with a sweet and sour rib, only to catch Percival's watchful gaze, "No picking." Vivienne, "..."

After dinner, as Percival cleaned up the kitchen, Vivienne headed for a shower.

sitting on the bed, he patted

a beat, though her body willingly

"Mr. Wolf..."

eyes met hers, making her throat dry, yet it was his feigned menace that made her

wasn't fear she felt, just concern that her back might not survive till the next day. She had come to realize that the post-marriage Mr. Wolf was like a forbidden

Vivienne blinked in surprise.

head as she relished Mr. Wolf's personal touch, thinking to herself how marriage indeed had its perks. He took care of everything, more attentively than

went off, the immediate warmth of Percival's chest against

Vivienne, "..."

Just like that?

the Linklaters. I'd rather

to do with her? Arthur's grudge against Mr. Wolf

The next day.

informing them that the return gift was ready and would be sent to the Linklaters soon.

dress laid out for her upon waking. Its simple elegance matched her

the smell of fresh bread in the kitchen. Sitting at the

their eyes met, and a warm smile spread

"If a few meals can do

playfully suggested, "Maybe I should give cooking a try. Who knows? I might have a hidden

to worry about that with me

nodded, momentarily distracted by her phone. "Mr. Wolf, is this thing Thomas sent me your

glanced at it and nodded, "Yes, sorting some paperwork overseas took a couple of days. I've checked,

companies and billions in liquidity to my name

was already

take care of me for the rest of our lives, remember?" Vivienne's eyes sparkled with