The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne's fingers, long and slender, grazed the hem of his pajama top, causing the loose button to give way and revealing the solid chest beneath.

Vivienne shifted, resting her head on his shoulder, "I never had any intention of going." She gave a muffled groan as his hands began to roam over her, "Tomorrow, we've got other, more important matters to attend to." Percival arched an eyebrow, "Oh? Like what?" With a light chuckle, Vivienne's long legs swung over, positioning her atop him. Her eyes, seductive as she smiled, the crimson at the corners enough to make Percival's Adam's apple bob twice in quick succession.

Noticing his movement, Vivienne's smile grew, "Mr. Wolf, you still owefor this month's dues." As her words trailed off, Percival's lips captured the remaining whispers. Beneath the inky expanse of the duvet, the contours rose and fell.

The boundless fervor of spring spread throughout the master bedroom, while outside, even the moon shyly hid behind the clouds. But.

For some, joy abounds; for others, woes mount.

Srevel in the tumult of passion, while others are roused from sleep by their superiors, scolded for hours in front of the floor-to- ceiling windows.

The superintendent unleashed all the morning fury he couldn't vent on Vivienne upon Kipling, sparing no courtesy, "You really think you're something, don't you, Kipling Abernasy! Stirring up trouble, offering your unwelchelp everywhere! That harassment case involving the female student has been dead for years, and yet here you are, digging it up!" Seeing the online comments made his blood boil, "Her parents making a scene is one thing, but what's with you, causing a ruckus?! With all your selfless dedication, why don't you address the sky-high meal costs at north side? Complaint letters are piling up here, and at this critical moment, you choose to slack off and play dumb?! And you're running around over Zinnia's case?! Can't sit still in your director's chair, eh? Hoping to ride this wave to fand promotion?" The department had seen an influx of young blood these past few years.

Niko, having picked up such rhetoric from who knows where, lambasted Kipling with elaborate insults.

Kipling, accustomed to throwing his weight around elsewhere, didn't dare retort, only nodding and scrambling for an explanation, "No, boss. With a face like mine, even if I tried to make a splash, I'd get nowhere. I just felt pity for Zinnia and her daughter, wanted to lend a hand. After all, that kid's troubles started with Julian's..." "With Julian? Do you have any evidence that her suicide attempt was because of Julian?!" Niko raised his voice even louder at the mention of this, "With your talents, Kipling, maybe I should ask the Public Security Bureau to take you in! But they wouldn't want you either. Someone who bases their investigations on guesswork could cause countless miscarriages of justice. The workload for our colleagues at the prosecutor's office would skyrocket!" His tone was sarcastic and biting.

Kipling, listening, couldn't hide his impatience, "Superintendent, isn't the truth of the matter obvious? Besides, if Kaitlyn wants to sue, let her. It's a losing battle from the start. In the end, it might even cast a favorable light on our department." "Cast a favorable light?" Niko was nearly amused to death by Kipling's audacity. He paced the study several times, his gaze catching the online uproar. He stopped and sneered, "Alright, you say you want to do the department a favor, huh? Well, lettell you, if you win this lawsuit, all's well. But if you lose, you can kiss your director position goodbye! Our department's got plenty of folks eyeing that seat!" With that, he slammed the phone down.

Ɔn the other end, Kipling was taken back by the ultimatum. Once he collected himself, his expression larkened. The old man, always quick to berate me! Are youfraid Il lose and embarrass you? Just you wait. One day, I'll pull you town from that throne! Thinking of iring me? We'll see about that! I vant to see if you've got the guts!" Kipling clenched his phone tightly, a fierce light glinting in his eyes. He watched the break of dawn, his smile sinister. Kaitlyn? Hah, you couldn't beatyears ago. And now, backed by the Abernathy and the Grimshaw families, you still think you can challenge me? Just wait and see! I'll show you that in the face of absolute power, all evidence is meaningless! As the first rays of the sun touched the earth, the online controversy about the case had reached a fever pitch, with comments from all sides-insults, skepticism, and those just there for the spectacle-filling the internet.

Zinnia woke up and immediately checked herfor more vitriol against Julian.

Just as she logged in, she sensed something off-someone dared to sue Kipling, the Education Director? Had Kaitlyn lost her mind? Thought after thought raced through her mind as she hastily exited theand dialed Kipling's number, "Kipling, what do we do now? Could the online comments affect the trial?" Meanwhile, Kipling was sitting in the Abernathy family's side hall. Hearing Zinnia's concerns, he recalled being dragged out of bed for a scolding, "Don't worry. I'll get shelp." He gritted his teeth, "It's cto this-we can only succeed, not fail!" "Not just that, we have to drag Vivienne into this mess!" Gavin, just returning to the side hall, caught the tail end of the conversation, his mind flashing back to the day he rushed back to the factory. Staring at the ground, unable to tell if it was dust orash, his wrinkles stretched by his wide-open eyes. His grey, murky eyes filled with red veins. e Especially when he caught sight of the shattered pieces of the ceramic vase on the floor, the image of Asher smashing the vase replayed over and over in front of him, disturbing his sleep for the past couple of nights. He was haunted by midnight réveries. He'd invariably dream of his mother sobbing softly. Gavin's head throbbed with pain, partly from fear. He dare not turn off the lights to sleep at night, and he absolutely needed Madeline by his side. Without her, sleep remained elusive.

And for all this, he had Vivienne to thank! And Asher Grimshaw...

Gavin's hands, clasped behind him, slowly clenched tighter. If the Grimshaw family weren't so influential, he would have already led a group to their doorstep, demanding an explanation! But no matter.

Now, with Asher preoccupied with the mess involving Vivienne, even his position as the young master was in jeopardy. There would be plenty of opportunities to deal with him later.

For now, the most important matter was Vivienne! Upon seeing someone approach, Kipling quickly stood up and bowed, "You're finally here. The inteis in an uproar, and because of it, the chief gavean earful in the middle of the night." He pointed to the dark circles under his eyes, "Look at me. I haven't had a wink of sleep. Please, helpfigure something out. If this carries on, I swear the online mob will be the death of me!" * Privacy