The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival and Vivienne communicated through their eyes, unaware of the world around them. It was as if singletons Thomas and Leopold didn't exist.

Listening to Mara's tearful saga, Cecilia's face was a portrait of utter confusion. "What do you mean Vivienne killed Huxley?" She pushed Mara away. "Are you out of your mind? If Vivienne really wanted Huxley dead, why would she bring him back in broad daylight for all to see? She could've just left him to rot in M State, couldn't she?" Mara was choked up, disbelieving. "But I saw Huxley there..." Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Are you sure it was Huxley? I saw the guy sprinting out of here not half an hour ago. You're not suggesting that in the past thirty minutes, Vivienne murdered him and then paraded his body just to show off? What do you think she is, brainless like you?" After a verbal barrage that left Mara speechless, it becclear that Cecilia, who was typically distant and cold to her, had surprisingly cto the defense.

Onlookers Vivienne and Percival, accustomed to Cecilia's clean but sharp tongue, were the first to react. "Thomas, Leopold, lock down the city and find Huxley!" Vivienne, not one to sit idle, texted Draven; [Draven, take a team and scour the city for Huxley. If you find him, bring him to Ellington Manor.] It seemed that the heavens were conspiring to keep Vivienne busy. Just when she thought she could enjoy a couple of days of freedom, trouble was brewing anew.

Clueless about their plan but sensing urgency in Vivienne's demeanor, Cecilia asked, “What's up? Has Huxley done something stupid again?" Thomas couldn't help but comment, "That 'again' is spot on." Vivienne patted Cecilia on the shoulder. "Someone sent a synthetic replica of Huxley to the hospital, aiming to harm my mother. Today, we're going to flush out the mastermind behind this." Percival chimed in, "Mom, has Huxley been acting strange lately?" "What are you implying?!" Mara, who had been eavesdropping from the staircase, inwardly cursed Huxley's failure to eliminate Karen, depriving Vivienne of experiencing the sgrief.

As they voiced their suspicions about Huxley, Mara stood up defiantly. "You suspect Huxley of wanting to harm your mother?" She grasped Vivienne's hand. "Vivienne, could you be mistaken? Huxley's as timid as a mouse; how could he possibly harm your mother? Plus, with the medicine you gavestill in my system, he wouldn't dare, not even for my sake." Percival raised an eyebrow, deftly pulling Vivienne's hand away from Mara's grip. "We can't be sure about that." "What?" Mara was bewildered.

Vivienne leaned into Percival's embrace. "Ms. Boyd, don't overestimate your importance. Your life might not mean much to him. Otherwise, how would you explain the synthetic replica?" Mara's expression shifted slightly. "This has to be a setup! Vivienne, you're too smart not to see through such a ruse." She couldn't let them conclude that Huxley was the murderer. If they did, her days within the Ellington family would be numbered.

"Really?" Vivienne asked provocatively. "Ms. Boyd, so sure of yourself, do you have evidence?" Percival's gaze was icy. "Vivienne doesn't need your input in her affairs." In a shadowy, unnamed corner of the city, Huxley was frantically yelling into the phone. "They've captured the synthetic! What's the deal with your operation? Why did Willa cback early?" Whatever the person on the other end said, it was met with a cold laugh from Huxley. "Easy for you to say! Vivienne's no fool; she won't be deceived by me." The woman's voice, seductive and chilling, reassured him, "Don't worry, I have faith in you. If not in yourself, at least believe in what's inside you, right?" The call ended abruptly, and Huxley, snapping out of his frenzied state, felt a surge of anger.

Damn it all! In the end, they refused to help him! So much for the Grimshaw family; they couldn't even handle Vivienne's aunt, Willa. Spower players they were! If only he hadn't trusted that woman and her empty promises! What now? That was Vivienne's mother, and that woman had more tricks up her sleeve than a Vegas magician. What would she do to him? At that moment, Huxley was acutely aware that he had sent a synthetic replica in his stead. Remembering the footage he saw on the security feed, he felt a chill run down his spine. If one of those throwing knives had found him, he wouldn't have had a chance to plead his innocence.

Plead? A glint of cunning flashed in Huxley's eyes as panic gave way to a sinister calm.

He took a deep breath, fists clenching, and then relaxed. "It's just Vivienne, isn't it? Well, you just wait. The Boyd family will have its revenge." On the set, Kala's sunny disposition darkened as she read through the online comments.

"Have you spoken to your boss about this?" she asked her agent, knowing Vivienne was tied up with other matters and had assigned someone else to handle her affairs.

The man's influence in the entertainment industry was significant, and even though this involved Vivienne, he trod lightly, "We've been unable to reach the boss; she's preoccupied." As they spoke, a call from Darren cthrough.

Kala didn't hesitate to answer. "Did you find Ramona's location?" Darren's voice was laced with exhaustion as if he'd been through the wringer, yet there was a hint of excitement. "Got it. I'll send you the address. Let's go together!" "Vivienne's probably tied up right now. She's done so much for us; it's twe did something for her." "And what exactly do you plan to do for her?" As Kala's words hung in the air, Ramona's voice followed closely behind.

The RV fell into an abrupt silence as Kala hung up the phone, her brows knitting together in frustration. "Ramona Grimshaw, I've been looking for you. Imagine my surprise when you waltz right in!"

She swiped away from the call screen and scrolled down her Twitter feed. "This trending topic, did you orchestrate this?! You're like a street performer dancing in front of a widow's house, calling attention to yourself! Do you really think, with these petty tricks, you can steal Percival away from Vivienne? Dream on!"Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Honestly, I can't fathom why you, of all people, are still chummy with her. The Brooks family has been dragged through the mud by that wench, Vivienne, and yet here you are, acting all buddy-buddy. That's right. After all, Vivienne is your boss. Without her, you'd probably be on the chopping block by now."

She tilted her chin up, her expression dripping with sarcasm. "Let's face it, you're nothing but a lapdog. Whoever feeds you, you bark for them. Why En don't you cwithinstead? I guarantee not only will I make you a star, but I'll also help the Brooks family get their revenge." Kala's face turned as cold as ice. "The sun hasn't even set, and here's Ms. Grimshaw, daydreaming away. I've never seen someone so proud to be a prostitute like you. But, I'm sorry to burst your bubble; I don't share your fetish." She cocked her head to one side, tapping on the table. “You better take care of yourself, Ms. Grimshaw. And keep your distance from Percival. Not everyone has a taste for your kind of woman!"