The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Calista cast a furtive glance toward Vivienne and murmured in a hushed voice, “Mom, please stop

talking!”

She looked utterly heartbroken. Already beautiful, her crestfallen expression only amplified her appeal,

tugging at the heartstrings of anyone who saw her.

Mila only had this one precious daughter, and seeing her suffer such indignity was more than she could

bear. Her voice rose in volume, “Why shouldn’t I speak? I’m going to!”

She marched up to Vivienne, her anger palpable. “Vivienne, you’ve had it in for Calista from the start.

Nothing she does pleases you, but she risked herself to save you today! Your attitude is utterly

disgraceful!”

Vivienne raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression cool and detached, “And? Should I kneel and

bow my head to her in gratitude?”

Mila was taken aback. “When did I ever ask you to kneel to her? Don’t twist my words. I’m saying, at

the very least, you should say thank you.”

Judith, who had been silent up to this point, interjected with a disapproving tone, “Vivienne, your

behavior is indeed deplorable. No matter what, Calista is your sister. Whatever grudges you had should

be in the past. Today, she saved you because, despite everything, you share the same father. You don’t

have to shower her with thanks, but a simple thank you is basic courtesy.”

Her gaze darkened as she continued, “Or has your mother never taught you any manners?”

Suddenly!

Vivienne’s eyes darkened, her presence turning icy. Beneath her haute couture gown, she stood regal

as a queen bathed in sunlight, her radiance momentarily blinding.



She glanced at Judith with a chilling gaze, her voice flat as she said, “My mother is dead. You could try

asking her in the afterlife how she raised me.”

Judith’s face soured instantly. “What kind of talk is that? As your grandmother, am I not allowed to

speak for your own good? I remember your mother as a gracious and considerate woman, well-liked by

the Brooks family. How is it that you’re so rude? You would do well to learn some life lessons from your

mother.”

“Haha!” Vivienne laughed, dazzling yet like a poisonous flower capable of ensnaring one with a glance.

She looked up at Judith, her voice icy. “When Paula managed to steal Scott’s sperm, Judith, you

played no small part. A person with a venomous heart, living a life of pretense, you dare teach me?”

Judith’s face turned stormy with anger, “What nonsense are you spouting? Is this how a younger

person speaks to an elder?”

“I wasn’t aware there was an issue with Vivienne’s manners,” Percival interjected casually, hands in

pockets, casting a cool glance at Judith. “Perhaps you’d care to enlighten us?”

The mere Brooks family!

Time and again, they dared to mistreat his Vivienne in his presence. Had it not been for Vivienne’s

preference to handle her own affairs, they might have mistaken his patience for weakness.

He had planned to leave the Brooks family alone until that particular matter was resolved.

But since they seemed eager not to let well enough alone, he was ready to expedite their downfall.

Were they really under the impression that he was just a figurehead fiancé?



“What’s there to say?” Judith was truly furious now, her words losing restraint. “Ever since she returned

to the Brooks family, she’s been nothing but cold to us. Anything we do is wrong in her eyes, and she

never shows any appreciation.

We threw a reunion party for her, and she turned it into a farce. When her siblings took her to the

gemstone market, she had Eddy broadcast something most uncouth, landing him in jail time and time

again.

We treated her adoptive parents with hospitality, but did it earn us any gratitude from her?

And now, her sister has come back. Out of consideration for her feelings, we haven’t been overly kind

to Calista. Yet today, despite past grievances, Calista injured her hand to save her, and this is how she

reacts.

Am I wrong as an elder to even speak? Why can’t I say you should learn from your mother? Vivienne,

you simply do not measure up to your mother in thoughtfulness!”

“Haha!” Percival chuckled. It was charming yet dangerous.

He glanced at Thomas, his voice melodious yet sinister. “It seems the Brooks family has many

unsettled scores. Thomas, bring over a couple of chairs. Vivienne and I will sit down and settle each

and every one.”

“Yes!” Thomas cast a cold look at Judith and went to fetch the chairs.

Soon, with chairs in place, Percival took Vivienne by the hand and sat down. Though seated, they

exuded an aura of royalty that diminished the presence of the Brooks family and Mila and her daughter.

Percival crossed his legs, his long fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee as his deep gaze swept

over the Brooks family before settling on Judith. He turned to Vivienne and said, “Vivienne, there are



many accounts to settle. Where shall we begin?”

Vivienne’s lips curled slightly. “I’m not great with numbers, Mr. Wolf. You decide.”

“Very well.”

Percival’s gaze returned to Judith. “Let’s start with the incident at Emerald Mountain when you saved

Judith.”

There was a time when he would address the Brooks family with respect.

But they were no longer deserving now.

Judith felt a sudden twinge of unease at the turn of events.

Before Percival could utter a word, she jumped in, “What are you trying to do? Do you really think you

can tally up such a debt?”

“Judith, easy now,” Percival said calmly. “I’m quite the mathematician, you know. Won the International

Math Olympiad when I was sixteen. You can look it up. So, I’m great at settling accounts!”

His light tone belied an unsettling chill that seemed to permeate the room.

Judith bristled, ready to retort, but Percival was already speaking again. “If my memory serves me right,

whether it be Scott, you, Judith, or the entire Brooks family, you’ve all said my teacher was your favorite

lady, the perfect match for Scott.”

He paused briefly, then added, “Forgot to mention, Karen is my teacher.”

“What?” The Brooks family was taken aback!



None of them had expected this twist in the relationship between Karen and Percival!

Percival paid no mind to their shock, continuing nonchalantly, “So answer me yes or no.”

“Yes,” Came the first reply from Scott.

In his heart, Karen was irreplaceable.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All

Books Updates…

Percival glanced at him and then turned his gaze to Judith, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Then

perhaps, Judith, you’d care to explain why you brought a hitman along when you went to Emerald

Mountain to ask Finnian about Karen’s child?”

The Brooks family was stunned!

A hitman?

What was this about?

They all knew about the trip, how Judith had said she needed to find the child’s whereabouts and had

gone to Emerald Mountain alone.

They had offered her bodyguards, but she had turned them down.

Yet now, it seemed she had taken a hitman with her.

Why?

