The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Sophie clutched her chest, blinking away tears that soon streaked down her cheeks. She seemed rattled by Kaitlyn's outburst,

stumbling several steps backward. Her footing faltered, sending her tumbling towards Percival.

It looked as though she would collide with the man's solid frame.

Percival's eyes narrowed imperceptibly, shifting aside just enough to avoid her. His deep, shadowy gaze held a ferocity and disdain

that, apart from Vivienne, no one could decipher.

"ARI

Raised in the lap of luxury by Gavin Abernathy, Sophie's anticipated embrace vanished, replaced by a sharp pain.

Tears as big as peas fell from the corners of her eyes as she looked up at Percival, "Mr. Ellington, could you lenda hand?"

She was a true pupil of Madeline's guile. Despite Sophie's allure, her doe eyes were as clear and innocent as a frightened rabbit's.

Even Kaitlyn, a woman herself, couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity at the sight.

Yet Percival didn't so much as flutter an eyelid, "Are you incapacitated?"

Vivienne's lips curled into a smirk.

Indeed! Her Mr. Wolf was unimpeachable in matters of chivalry.

Sophie's expression froze. She'd heard tales of Percival's foul temper stemming from a past injury, but she hadn't expected such

indifference.

She had declared herself the second daughter of the Abernathy family, yet Percival remained unmoved?

Sophie's eyes darted around, her mouth puckering, "But I'm hurt. Mr. Ellington, | think my elbow is broken. Could you, out of

decency for the help I've provided, taketo the hospital?"

Vivienne's smirk remained, "You helped us? By hastening Julian's parents toward their graves?"

Sophie's face shifted colors as she began to explain, "I..."

Before she could finish, Vivienne cut her off, "I'm curious how you managed to get into the precinct and so smoothly escort the

elderly couple out?"

Rafferty, too, wore a suspicious look. But seeing Sophie on the ground, pitiful, he stepped forward out of respect for Harrison and

helped her up, "Inigo, what in the world is going on? | don't recall our squad taking orders from the Abernathys!"

The young officer, Inigo, nearly wept, "This... I... It was out of my hands, Captain. The AC in the interrogation room broke, and |

forgot to close the door when | left. When | returned, they were both in a bad state."

"I had no choice. It's not like | could leave them there to die." He wrung his hands, his explanation full of coincidences, "Ms. Sophie

was brought in by the deputy chief. She saw | was overwhelmed and cto assist."

By the end, Inigo hung his head, "Captain, | swear | didn't abuse them. | know the rules. How could | do such a thing?!"

"Captain Rafferty, Officer Inigo speaks the truth," Sophie said, biting her lip and casting a woeful glance at Vivienne, "I know Ms.

Hawthorn is cautious, but that's no reason to slander the innocent. | just happened by and saw the old couple in distress, so |

helped."

With that, she turned to Kaitlyn, "Kaitlyn, I'm sorry. Although | wasn't involved, it was my sister who caused the trouble. | apologize

on her behalf; she had no choice."

Stealing a glance at Percival, whose gaze had never rested on her, Sophie bit her lip and continued, "She was only after you for the

secret recipe, to save her mother..."

Percival's gaze narrowed, sharp as a drawn blade, his inky eyes chilling with frost, "Explain. Victoria was after Kaitlyn to save

whom?"

A flicker of triumph passed through Sophie's lowered eyes as she taunted Vivienne, "Her mother. I... I've heard that lady has a

history with Mr. Ellington. She's supposed to be Mr. Ellington's aunt..."

"Silence!" Percival's voice cut through the air, "You do not have the right to speak her name!"

His aunt had been deceived by that woman and Gavin, leading to the current turmoil.

Hatred pooled in his eyes, turning him into a judge from the underworld as he stared at Sophie with deadly quiet.

Sophie had never encountered such a look. Even when Gavin lost his temper, it was never with this intensity. It was as if one more

word from her would spell her doom. She trembled involuntarily, shrinking back into Rafferty's embrace.

Rafferty frowned and pulled her away, instinctively looking towards Kaitlyn.

At the mention of Victoria's mother being Percival's aunt, Kaitlyn had frozen, the hatred in her eyes dissipating.

Reflecting on the help Vivienne and Percival had extended to her family, Kaitlyn's eyes revealed her inner turmoil.

Sophie had achieved her desired effect. Regardless of who held the recipe, if they knew it could save Holly Ellington, they wouldn't

stand idly by.

Then, she could secure what she wanted. All her efforts—rushing over in the dead of night and enduring the stench of an old

woman—would not be in vain.

The malice in her eyes, hidden behind Rafferty's back, flashed briefly before returning to a facade of calm. Peeking timidly from

behind him, she awaited their reaction.

Vivienne cast a fleeting glance at Sophie before looping her arm through Percival's and striding toward Kaitlyn. "Captain Rafferty,

I'll be taking Julian withtoday. Pass a message to your deputy for me, would you? Picking the wrong side can be a deadly

mistake."

"What do you mean?" Rafferty asked, puzzled.

Vivienne had no intention of clarifying. She waved for Percival to hoist Julian onto his shoulders.

"Take it at face value," she said, not caring to elaborate.

Without another word, Vivienne, with Sadie on her back, tugged at Kaitlyn to leave the precinct.

They hadn't even stepped through the front door when a tall silhouette emerged from the shadowy depths, approaching them

against the blinding lights of the police station.

Sophie hurried after Percival's steps, noticing that everyone's gaze had turned toward the newcomer.

Following their stares, she caught sight of the man and instantly recognized him. It was her sister's husband, once the esteemed

son-in-law of the Littleton family, Harrison!

This was shaping up to be quite the spectacle!

Sophie's gleaming pupils sparkled with malice as she curled her lips into a mischievous smile and called out, "Harrison, what brings

you here in the dead of night?"

The searchlights of the police station were blinding, and Harrison could only make out the silhouettes of a few people at the

entrance, unable to discern their identities.

However, at the sound of Sophie's voice, he felt a shiver run down his spine, and he finally located her, "Dad was worried about

you being out here all alone, so he sentto pick you up."

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