The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Ronald had just tackled a thorny issue at work when he arrived home. Pushing open the front door, he barely managed to call out

for Kala when he noticed several people sitting in his living room. His heart skipped a beat. "Vivienne, Mr. Ellington, what brings

you here? Is there snews about Kala?"

As his brain caught up, he exhaled in relief.

Carrying his briefcase over, Kala handed him a glass of water while Carl, who had finally gotten a chance to chome, had

pushed aside a piping hot breakfast for the gathering.

Vivienne observed everything with a knowing look. She realized Ronald must have already filled Carl in.

The remaining three Brooks siblings were now, at least, living together harmoniously.

"l just cto check in, no big deal," she said, tapping the armrest of the sofa and tilting her chin towards the android in the

corner.

Almost immediately, Ronald's relaxed demeanor shifted, "Vivienne, believe me, I've destroyed all those things. Not one left!"

At this point, Kala also spoke in defense of Ronald, "Vivienne, is there skind of misunderstanding?"

Kala had been asking this since Thomas cin carrying that thing, but Vivienne had refused to explain until Ronald returned, and

Kala was left with no choice but to wait.

Seeing Ronald's anxious expression, Carl commented dryly, "Vivienne, | admit my brother was a jerk before. But he had his

reasons, and look at him now, fighting so hard to live. That thing over there, it can't be his doing."

There was an unexpected unity among them.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, innocently spreading her hands, "Who said it was his doing? Why the panic?"

The Brooks texchanged looks, their expressions screaming that they were expecting ssort of interrogation.

Percival watched with an amused grin as Vivienne teased the Brooks siblings, his eyes filled with indulgence.

Thomas and Anna, standing by, were torn between calling out Vivienne's wicked sense of humor or laughing at the Brooks siblings’

baffled looks.

Rubbing her temples, Vivienne said with a sigh, "I was just bored and thought I'd drop by."

Ronald, Carl, and Kala were silent for a few seconds before Kala spoke up, "Do you even believe that yourself?"

Vivienne sighed. "Am | that uncredible?"

"What do you think?"

Ever since the Brooks family’s crisis, Vivienne’s visits had been rare, and each one heralded simpending issue. Her claim to

just be visiting, especially with an android in tow, was met with disbelief.

Vivienne pressed her lips together, clearly not expecting to be disbelieved. "Okay, fine, | do have something to tell you."

At her words, the siblings tensed up instantly.

Speechless, Vivienne looked at Ronald and said, "Lauren wants to see you."

Ronald stood abruptly, his face a mix of shock and hope. "Really?"

Carl and Kala were both surprised. "Who's Lauren?" they asked simultaneously.

A hint of redness appeared on Ronald's face at their question. He had never told his family about Lauren. Thus, he coughed

awkwardly and said to them, "I'll explain in the future."

Then, he turned to Vivienne. "Vivienne, does Lauren really want to see me? When and where? Is it just to meet, or is something

wrong? Should I..."

He was clearly overwhelmed by the prospect of seeing Lauren.

"She wants to meet you tomorrow at noon at the café," Vivienne said, trying to maintain patience. "She didn't say why. Just ask her

yourself."

Ronald bit his lip, then looked up determinedly, "Why wouldn't she contactdirectly?"

Was she trying to distance herself from him?

Vivienne's gaze darkened slightly, "You'll find out when you get there."

With a heavy heart, Ronald watched as Vivienne left the Brooks house, nonchalantly scanning the surroundings before getting into

a car with Percival.

"To the Edwards family?" he heard her say.

"The Edwards family?" Percival echoed in confusion. "Aren't we going for lunch first?"

Vivienne shook her head, "Vance Edwards has gotten wind of my mom being targeted. They want a word with me, so it can't be

helped."

Percival chuckled. "So those incessant calls yesterday were from them? Well, let's skip that. What are you in the mood for? I'll take

you out."

If it weren't for those guys yesterday, he would have been so close to taking a bath with Vivienne! They thought they could call

Vivienne back to question her? No way!

Their meal, however, was interrupted by a phone call. Vivienne frowned at the unknown number but answered anyway.

Victoria's brash voice cthrough, "Vivienne, I'm warning you, hand over the secret formula, or Kaitlyn gets it!"

Vivienne paused mid-bite. "Lethear Kaitlyn's voice."

"I'm not negotiating!" Victoria's voice choked up, then grew louder, "If you don't believe me, call the Littletons right now!"

Her voice was ice-cold, "Kaitlyn is in my grasp, and if you don't want her to end up in a body bag, hand over the goods within the

hour!"

"Sendthe address."

Vivienne watched as her meal was getting cold and had no patience to continue the conversation with Victoria.

Dropping her phone with a click, she turned to Percival and said, "Get your guys to track down Kaitlyn. Send someone to keep an

eye on her discreetly."

Percival hadn't caught the details of the other side's conversation. Regardless, he had no objections to Vivienne's request.

After he assigned Thomas to arrange backup, he asked, "What's going on?"

Vivienne spoke between bites of her meal, "Victoria claims she's snagged Kaitlyn. When | asked to speak with her, she wouldn't

allow it. Who knows what she's up to? What are your people saying?"

Tracing Kaitlyn's location wasn't tough.

Within two minutes of Percival's instructions, his contact replied, "Kaitlyn's at the suburban mall, and my people are on their way

there."

Who conducts a kidnapping handoff at a mall?

Relieved by the news, Vivienne found her forkful of braised meat even more succulent.

Percival adored watching her let her guard down, showing a little girl-like vulnerability.

He kept feeding her, only occasionally stealing a bite for himself.

In a dilapidated warehouse on the outskirts of Rivenwood.

With a slap, Victoria crushed a mosquito feasting on her leg.

Her irritation was as clear as day on her face. Pulling out her phone to check the time, she muttered with restless anxiety, "What's

taking so long? That damn Vivienne—she better not have gotten herself killed on the way here!"

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