The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival stepped out of the office, the tension in his eyes replaced with an unmistakable gleam of joy.

Seeing Mr. Wolf in high spirits, Vivienne couldn't help but smile too.

Finally, no more dreadful doctor's visits.

Arriving home, Percival noticed an elegantly wrapped box outside. He first thought it was a delivery from Cecilia, but on closer inspection, it didn't seem like her style.

Vivienne remembered what Leopold had mentioned on the phone right before Mr. Wolf opened it, "It's from Leopold." Without giving it much thought, Percival brought the box inside, and neither of them dwelled on it much further.

The next morning, as Vivienne remembered they were to attend an engagement party, she opened Leopold's box and grimaced sharply.

Classic Leopold.

Expecting her to wear this dress in public was practically an invitation for everyone to burst into laughter.

By then, Percival was already dressed to the nines in a sleek black suit, looking exceptionally dashing. Noticing Vivienne frozen in place, he followed her gaze.

To his surprise, it was a bright red dress with a distinctively vintage Western flair! It wasn't that it was ugly, but rather spectacularly so.

He glanced at Vivienne, his brows knitting together, "Leopold's doing?" Vivienne just nodded, at a loss for words.

Who else but Leopold could have such an enigmatic taste in fashion? Percival pulled out his phone, "I'll have Thomas bring over a different one." "No need." Vivienne grabbed a pair of scissors and took the dress to the bedroom.

She emerged a short while later, having transformed the dress. She had removed its excessive decorations, shortened its length to just above the knees, and altered it to sleeveless. The only traditional element she kept was its high neckline, but even that she had simplified.

With Vivienne's model-like figure, the red dress now looked absolutely stunning on her.

Percival was momentarily speechless.

Vivienne, now visibly pregnant, seemed to radiate an indescribable allure that was utterly captivating.

Catching the look of amazement in Mr. Wolf's eyes-and a hint of restrained desire-Vivienne approached him, her hand trailing from his suit jacket down to his tie, pulling him close. Her lips parted slightly, "Mr. Wolf, do I look beautiful?” There was a flicker in Percival's eyes as he wrapped his arms around her lower back to steady her, "Vivienne, you're always the most beautiful." Without giving Vivienne a chance to react, Percival leaned in for a kiss, to which Vivienne responded with equal fervor.

The intensity of their connection made it difficult to pull away.

Percival finally lifted his head, trying to catch his breath, while Vivienne looked back at him, her eyes hazy with longing and a touch of frustration.

It wasn't just Mr. Wolf who was struggling to hold back.

With Vivienne's current condition, the doctor had advised waiting another month...

The grandest hotel in Rivenwood had been entirely booked for today.

The Martinez and the Sterling families were uniting in marriage, drawing the elite of Rivenwood to their celebration.

As Vivienne and Percival arrived, the man of the hour, Leopold, greeted them at the door in a pristine white suit, his grin nearly splitting his face.

Upon seeing Vivienne and Percival approach, he hurried over to open their car door, "Vivienne, Percival, you've arrived." Vivienne shot him a look that said a thousand words, but ultimately, she simply nodded. If it weren't for Leopold's big day, she might have given him a piece of her mind about his questionable fashion sense.

Seeing Leopold glowing with happiness, Percival supported Vivienne out of the car, chuckling, "Congratulations on your catch, moving around pretty smoothly, aren't you?" Leopold hopped around a bit, "All healed up." Then, noticing the flash of red beneath Vivienne's coat, Leopold's eyes sparkled, "Vivienne, I told you my taste was impeccable. Griffin doubted me, but I'll have to show her later." Vivienne just rolled her eyes.

Alright, for today, she would let it go for Griffin's sake.

He wasn't hard to find.

As one of the stars of the show, her mentor was sitting right at the most prominent table.

Finnian, adorned in a bright red suit that contrasted with his white hair, made for a striking figure.

As Vivienne approached, she couldn't help but blink in surprise. Her mentor really went all out today! But something about the outfit seemed oddly familiar...

Before she could put her finger on it, she overheard Old-FDawson teasing, "No offense, Master, but you kinda look like Cupid decided to go traditional today." The room erupted in a mix of choked laughter and coughing, everyone carefully avoiding Finnian's gaze to prevent a full-blown laugh attack.

Finnian, already self-conscious about the outfit's loudness, felt even more irritated now.

Had it not been for the special gift that cwith the suit, he wouldn't have been caught dead in it. But that was a secret he'd take to the grave.

"I see you're looking for a whooping,paring your master to Cupid Tellwhere exactly do you see the resemblance?" Finnian retorted, barely holding back his annoyance. en.kikistories The room fell silent, nobody daring to answer. Sometimes, it was wiser to agree with the master, especially when he was on the brink of a tirade.

If things got heated, it'd be tough to explain to Leopold.

They'd all be in for an awkward time.

In the suddenly silent atmosphere, a cool voice spoke up, "It does look quite similar!" The direct involvement of these two, their mentor played a crucial role. If not a matchmaker, then what? Otherwise, how could Leopold havee up with such a bizarre idea? And she got dragged into it too.

Hearing the voice, everyone perked up.

Larry, sitting closest, saw Vivienne and beckoned with a grin, "Vivienne, there you are,e sit." Old-F shot him a glare, emphasizing the protocol, "Larry, do you have any manners? Vivienne deserves the 14f seat of honor, not next to you. anyone, she should sit up front." en.kikistories swr Eric chimed in, "Exactly, what's your rank to contest with us?" Before Daniel could speak, Jerry, sitting by Finnian, stood up abruptly, "Enough bickering!" Then, with a respectful bow, he said, "Master, I'll go check on Leopold. Let Vivienne keep youpany." Finnian nodded.

He did want to have a word with the cheeky girl.

Jerry smiled at Vivienne, "Vivienne, this way, please." Everyone else: ".

|| ...

Well, that was a lot of fuss for nothing.

"Cheeky girl..." Finnian's lips twitched into a smile, but that smile vanished the moment he saw Vivienne's figure-hugging dress, "Huh!" "Wait a minute, Leopold said he got us matching outfits. Howe yours looks so much better than mine?" The others nearly choked on their own laughter.

Vivienne: "..." If she had dressed like her master suggested, the repercussions were indeed foreseeable.