The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gillian bit her lower lip hard. It took a moment before she could regain her composure.

She had heard rumors that Percival was not interested in women, and she figured he might just be a bit of a straightforward guy. That did not bother her.

“Mr. Ellington, since you're here, let's take a few laps in the pool. Mara is probably going to take her sweet tgetting ready. She's always dragging her feet when it comes to dressing up,” Gillian said as she stood up and walked over to Percival.

Without even lifting his head, Percival could see the two long, pale legs before him.

Percival stood up, towering over the 55” Gillian, making her look even more petite and endearing.

Gillian took a few deep breaths, looked at Percival’s imposing figure, blushed, and said, “Mr. Ellington, shall we swim together?” Inside the changing room, Vivienne watched as Mara obsessively scrolled through photos on her phone, all the paintings she wanted to discuss.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly at Mara.

Checking the time, Vivienne stood up and covered Mara’s phone with her hand. “Let’s head to the pool.” Feeling it was about time, Mara nodded. “Alright, let's go.” “Ha, Vivienne, just wait until you see Gillian swimming with my brother. You'll be green with envy!” She thought.

As they exited the changing room, they were startled by a loud splash from the VIP pool! A woman had fallen into the VIP pool, and a shimmering silk shawl fluttered in the air above her.

Mara gasped, recognizing Gillian’s shawl.

What on earth had happened? a Vivienne chuckled softly and whispered into Mara’s ear, “Satisfied?” With that, she walked towards Percival.

Mara stood rooted to the spot, shivering as she recalled yesterday's dreadful scene at the Boyd Mansion. Her fear deepened.

This Vivienne... She could really be something else...

Terrifying.

The lifeguard pulled Gillian out of the pool, her makeup smeared from the struggle in the water.

Black streaks marred her face, and her eyes were panda-like from the running eyeliner.

Her once neatly pinned-up hair was now a damp mess over her shoulders.

A curious kid cover, saw Gillian’s state, and burst into laughter on the spot.

“That's no fairy princess; that's a panda!” The child's frankness set off a wave of laughter that rippled through the pool area.

Gillian had never been so embarrassed. She coughed, stood up, and wanted to ask Percival why he had pushed her, causing her to slip and fall into the pool.

She had spent three hours getting ready, hoping to present her most perfect self to Percival, but...

As Gillian regained her footing, she saw Percival walking towards Vivienne in the distance.

The others in the pool followed his gaze.

Heavens! Now, that was a goddess if there ever was one! Who was that other woman by comparison? Vivienne, donning the most ordinary and common swimsuit, with her hair simply tied back, exuded an unmatched aristocratic aura.

For a moment, everyone seemed to forget to breathe.

They finally understood why Percival had ignored Gillian.

With someone like Vivienne by his side, how could he notice anyone else? The schild who mocked Gillian exclaimed, “Now that’s a fairy princess! She’s so beautiful! Can | marry you when | grow up? | promise to be good to you forever!” Percival took Vivienne’s hand and turned to the boy with a warning look. “Dream on!” The boy, taken aback, started to whimper, “Mommy, the mean man took my bride away!” “This is my bride!” Percival declared once more.

Vivienne sighed, “Mr. Wolf, he’s just a little boy under ten.” “Not even then,” Percival said as he wrapped his arm around Vivienne’s shoulders and draped his towel around her.

“This is my Vivienne, off-limits to all!” He declared inwardly.

Vivienne wanted to say, “ How do you handle a jealous husband? Need advice, pretty urgent!” Percival confronted Mara coldly, “If this happens again, | will no longer acknowledge you as my sister!” Without another word, Percival left with Vivienne.

Agreeing to cswimming was his biggest regret.

Too many perverts around here! Mara had never heard such harsh words from Percival. Panicked, she explained, but Percival and Vivienne had already left the pool area.

She bit her lip, her resentment towards Vivienne growing stronger.

Vivienne must have bewitched her brother; why else would he disown his own family? “Vivienne, just wait. I'll drive you away from my brother's side and make sure you don’t ruin the Boyd family’s plans or my brother's happiness!” She yelled inside.

With a deep breath, Mara hurried over to Gillian. “Gillian, are you okay?” Gillian’s expression was a mix of pain and resentment.

How could she be okay? She was on the verge of tears.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“Mara, what did | do wrong for him to treatlike this? | am so heartbroken. We had an engagement. Why is this happening?” Mara hugged Gillian tightly. “Stop crying, Gillian. It’s all Vivienne’s fault. She’s deceived my brother. Don’t worry; the Boyd family stands with you. We won't let that country bumpkin succeed!” Gillian nodded silently, a whisper of agreement escaping her lips. “Yeah, I've always known that you and Wendy have been my biggest supporters.” Mara clasped Gillian’s hand reassuringly. “Silly Gillian, once you marry my brother, you'll have to start calling her Grandma, you know.” A blush crept across Gillian’s cheeks as she let out a shy chuckle. “First, we need to figure out how to deal with that Vivienne, or your brother might just get snatched away.” “Don’t worry, her victory won't last long!” Mara’s eyes narrowed as she watched the exit of the swimming complex.

Stepping out from the aquatic center, Percival and Vivienne climbed into the car where Thomas, ever the reliable chauffeur, drove them to a secluded spot before passing over a document.

“Percival, I've got everything dug up. There are thirty biotech firms in Sea City. Ten are under the Boyd family’s umbrella, and the other twenty belong to the Ashfords. Not to mention, the Ashfords have several research facilities to their name.” Percival’s mission in Sea City was clear: to uncover GTO’s virus research lab in the area.

The local biotech companies were the logical first step to infiltrate.

Certainly, GTO would exploit such enterprises to further their agenda.