The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne glanced over and could not help but marvel.

“Damn, he’s handsome!”

Mr. Wolf was not wrong; Flynn was a knockout!

He had that refined, aristocratic charm with just a hint of rebellion—undeniably attractive.

A different breed from Percival entirely.

But she still thought Mr. Wolf was the handsomest of them all.

That did not stop her from acknowledging Flynn’s appeal, though.

“Gorgeous,” Vivienne said, stars practically twinkling in her eyes.

There it was, her weakness for a pretty face had kicked in!

Isolde wrapped her arms around Vivienne’s neck, her tiny finger pressed to her lips, “Shh, Percival

can’t hear you call another man handsome, though I admit, Uncle Flynn is quite a looker.”

Vivienne flipped to another photo—this one a selfie.

The girl in it was turned away, her back to Flynn, who was facing the camera, her hair cascading down

like a waterfall.

Isolde peeked at the picture and said, “That’s Uncle Flynn’s girlfriend. I adore her hair—it’s like a

cascade.”

Vivienne nodded, about to say more when Percival snatched the phone away.

His fingers danced over the screen, swiftly deleting Flynn from Cecilia’s photo album.

Cecilia yelped, giving Percival a playful slap. “Hey, what are you doing deleting your uncle?!”

In a fit of jealousy, Percival plucked Isolde from Vivienne’s embrace, swiped a few snack bags, and

whisked Vivienne away.

Isolde stared at the half-empty snack bag and sighed like a tiny adult. “Boy, jealous men are scary.”

Cecilia shot a glare at Percival’s retreating back. “Just like your father, stubborn as a mule!”

Swept away by Percival, Vivienne snuggled into his embrace, her slender arms wrapped around his

neck, allowing him to carry her back to the bedroom.

Once inside, Percival tried to set her down on the couch.

Unexpectedly, Vivienne nimbly shifted her position, straddling him instead of the princess carry.

Percival wrapped his arms around Vivienne’s waist, steadied himself, and sat on the couch, looking up

at the mischievous girl above him. His Adam’s apple bobbed, his eyes filled with barely restrained

passion.

Vivienne perched on Percival’s lap, her fingertips teasing his neck. “Mr. Wolf, your uncle really is quite

handsome.”

Percival tightened his embrace, pinning her close. “Not as handsome as me.”

“Really?” Vivienne leaned into Percival, her breath brushing his face in a faint whisper.

Overwhelmed, Percival shifted and pressed Vivienne into the bed, his suit jacket draping over her

slender frame.

His breathing grew heavy, her legs entwined with his, their gazes deep as the ocean.

Her fingers played restlessly at the nape of his neck, pulling at the exposed collarbone.

She flipped them over the next moment, seated firmly on his stomach.

Leaning down, her lips tenderly quenched the thirst of the land beneath them.

He restrained himself, holding back the intensity of youthful passion about to fade as he approached

twenty.

She responded, affirming a commitment recognized at first glance.

Knock, knock, knock—the sound at the door broke through the steamy atmosphere.

Vivienne swiftly stood, sat on the couch, and grabbed a bag of chips.

Percival adjusted his suit, concealing the lipstick mark on his collar.

The knocker was Isolde.

Her little head appeared, her young face wearing a knowing smile, “Vivienne, I didn’t mean to interrupt.

Someone’s here to see you both. That’s why I came.”

A bit embarrassed, Vivienne stood. “Who’s looking for us?”

“Don’t know, a pretty lady, Grandpa’s downstairs chatting with her. Oh, and an unfamiliar uncle.”

“Okay, got it.” With that, Vivienne and Percival descended the stairs.

Downstairs, Richard was conversing with a man and a woman about business matters, allowing Cecilia

to listen on the side.

“Mr. Ellington,” the man from Ellington Group’s HR department said, “this is our new Head of Design,

Belle. She’s a famed designer from Omorol Design Company. The hit designs from last year? That was

her doing.”

Belle greeted Richard with a nod, “Mr. Ellington, now that I’m on board, I’ll be straightforward, and I

hope you won’t mind.”

“Speak your mind.” Richard always appreciated candor; though it was his first encounter with Belle, he

liked her frankness.

Belle smiled. “I heard Master Jessica provided the latest jewelry concept. I wonder, do I have the

fortune of meeting her?”

“What do you need with Master Jessica?” Suddenly, a deep, dark voice came from Percival.

The three in the living room paused, turning to look.

Percival was descending the staircase, hand in hand with Vivienne.

Belle caught her breath, her gaze lingering on Percival, a blush creeping across her cheeks.

“Belle, this gentleman right here is the chairman, Mr. Percival. Mr. Percival, this is our new head of the

design department, Belle,” whispered the HR director, tugging discreetly at Belle’s sleeve.

The audacity of youth — staring down the Chairman like a fearless calf facing a wolf. She must have a

death wish!

Jolted back to reality, Belle managed a greeting, “Hello, Mr. Percival. I’m Belle.”

Vivienne eyed Belle from head to toe, a suppressed smirk playing at the corner of her mouth as she sat

across from Richard.

Percival, sitting beside Vivienne and closer to the HR director, was still holding onto Vivienne’s hand,

his expression cool. “Answer my question.”

Belle blinked rapidly, taking in a deep breath. “I’d like to launch some products next quarter based on

the Master Jessica collection. This year, we’re highlighting a minimalist, transparent concept. Master

Jessica’s work is a tough act to surpass, so I thought about discussing it directly with Madam Jessica.”

Richard, mid-sip of water, nearly choked.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for

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Madam?

Vivienne could not help but rest her forehead in her hand.

Whether it was Q, Charles, Jessica, or any other identity for that matter, why did everyone assume she

was an old person?

Was a youngster unworthy of standing at the pinnacle of these fields?

Percival squeezed Vivienne’s hand, seeking her opinion.

Vivienne lifted her head to address Belle, “Sure, continue with the products. But first, bring your

designs to life, then we can talk details.”

Belle paused, bewildered by the young woman beside Percival.

What was she saying?

Percival used Vivienne’s hand to scratch his forehead, then said, “Vivienne is Master Jessica.”

Now, Belle was utterly flabbergasted, blurting out without regard for the setting, “That’s impossible!”

“It’s true, Vivienne is Master Jessica. Just do as she advised and bring the designs once they’re ready,”

Richard said with a chuckle.

The HR director cleared his throat before saying, “Belle, if there’s nothing else, we should leave them

be. Let’s not disturb the chairman and his wife any longer.”

Belle slowly came back to her senses. “Oh, right. We’ll just be going then.”

After the two departed, Vivienne and Percival finished their meal, and he drove her home.

On the way, Vivienne burst into laughter. “Mr. Wolf, looks like there’s some fun on the horizon.”

Their fingers intertwined, Percival gently massaged her fingertips, responding softly, “Indeed.”