The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne frowned, her voice cold as she spoke, "Godfather?" Leopold felt a chill run down his spine, swallowing hard, "Uh, Vivienne, I didn't really say anything just now. Please, don't be mad..." Her tone was calm, "Was this your idea?" Leopold shook his head, then nodded, "The guys all wanted a shot, but I figured being the first to speak up might givean edge." Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "Aren't you afraid of what they'll do when they find out?" Leopold stiffened, a look of defiance on his face, "I'm not scared. I've got Griffin backingup. If they try anything againstand the kids, I'll have Griffin send them a little surprise. Let's see who dares to mess with us then." Vivienne chuckled, looking down to see two little faces smiling up at her, hands reaching out in joy.

She noticed the smiles appeared the moment they heard Leopold's voice, raising an eyebrow, "Alright, we'll find tto officially make you their godfather." Now, it was Leopold's turn to freeze.

He glanced in the rearview mirror, stuttering, "Vivienne, you're not joking, right?" Switching her tone, she asked, "Why, you don't want to?" Leopold shook his head vigorously, "How could I not want to? I'm just worried about Percival waking up and finding out. He might just shipoff to Fariana Isle." Vivienne's lips curved, "What happened to your bomb-dropping resolve?" Leopold chuckled sheepishly, "Well, that's different. Percival's the kids' real dad. If he's not on board, I wouldn't dare accept the title, not for all the tea in China." She looked down at the two children, beaming with joy.

"Don't worry. If the kids like you, Mr. Wolf won't object.' Leopold perked up at that, "Vivienne, say no more. Kids love me. I'll teach them everything I know, no secrets held back." Vivienne just smiled.

If the kids turned out as stoic as Mr. Wolf, fine, but if they were anything like her, she hoped Leopold wouldn'te crying to back out of the deal.

But by then, it wouldn't be her decision to make.

It would be up to the kids.

They arrived at the Ellington estate.

As Vivienne stepped out of the car, she was greeted warmly.

Richard, Nathan, and Cecilia cout, "Vivienne's here. And... the children?" Seeing the two baby carriers in Leopold's hands, their faces lit up with joy.

Nathan turned to Cecilia with a smile, "Our grandchildren." Cecilia, overjoyed, nodded repeatedly, ushering Vivienne inside, e in quickly, it's windy. You and the babies shouldn't catch a cold." Inside, Richard was practically orbiting the children, his attention darting back and forth between them like a pendulum.

He couldn't stop talking about how blessed he felt to see his great-grandchildren, claiming he could die happy now.

Leopold joined in, "Sir, you're looking younger than my grandfather. You'll be around to see these two grow up, get married, no problem." Everyone laughed, with Richard beaming, "I'll take that to heart." Vivienne, now sitting, asked after everyone's health then inquired, "Where's Isolde? How is she?" Vivienne nodded, "If her mood changes, she can callanytime." Cecilia was grateful.

The subject of Isolde was delicate, and her parents hoped she could move past these shadows swiftly.

Cecilia glanced at Nathan, hesitating to speak.

Vivienne caught this, calmly bringing up, "You want to know how Mr. Wolf is, don't you?" Cecilia bit her lip, "We trust your medical skills. Since Percival is with you, we believe he'll wake up. We' just want to know his current condition." en.kikistories Vivienne shared, "Mr. Wolf is indeed about to wake up, but it wasn't my doing." Nathan and Cecilia looked puzzled, "Then who?" Vivienne explained, "I had just given birth. It was my mother who saved Mr. Wolf." Relieved, Nathan and Cecilia promised to thank her properly, understanding the deep ties of mentorship and family.

Vivienne reassured them, "Don't worry. My mom is Mr. Wolf's mentor, and in a way, his mother-in-law. She'd naturally help." She then announced, "I cto tell you that the people who harmed you are gone. You can let go of the past." "Dead?" Cecilia sighed in relief, recalling the terrifying moments she faced.

"Good. They didn't deserve to live," she said.

Nathan agreed, a weight lifted from their shoulders.

Richard's expression hardened, "What goes aroundes around. Speople dig their own graves." The crisis had been averted, and the shadow that had loomed over the Ellington family dissipated. Vivienne kept Abigail's last words to herself.

This was her burden to bear, no need to drag anyone else into it.

In the afternoon, Richard said his heartfelt goodbyes to the children.

et Before getting into his car, he slipped two flawless Lauren Piper chocolates into their arms, a symbol of good fortune and well-being.

en.kikistories Cecilia also brought gifts.

swne She adorned the children with golden locket necklaces, wishing them a long and prosperous life.

Richard mentioned, "Once Percival wakes up, we'll throw a proper christening party for the kids." Vivienne felt the same.

Without Mr. Wolf, it just wasn'tplete.

The car headed back to the Linklater residence. Vivienne told Leopold, "Be here early tomorrow, I have things to take care of." Leopold nodded in agreement.

As the car pulled away, he couldn't wait to show off on his phone.

"Listen up, guys, no more arguing. Vivienne has officially madethe godfather!"