The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Back at the house, Percival set about tidying up the array of dishes on the table before making a special treat for the bedroom.

He whipped up a batch of strawberry oatmeal, knowing well that Vivienne had a soft spot for the sweet berry.

Curious, Vivienne asked, "Mr. Wolf, what's cooking? I can catch a hint of strawberry in the air."

Handing her the bowl, Percival let Vivienne take in the sight of the oatmeal generously topped with strawberries, prompting a chuckle from her. "How did you come up with this?"

With a smile, he replied, "Couldn't let us both go hungry, especially without adding in something you love."

The strawberry oatmeal went down with ease, thanks to Vivienne's fondness for the fruit.

After wiping her mouth with a napkin, she turned to Mr. Wolf, "So, Mr. Wolf, how did things go today? What's the word from above?"

Percival took the bowl from her, "They suggested we hold off on pressing too hard on Abigail. Pushing her into a corner might backfire. They believe observing for a while longer could lead to a better chance to catch her." Vivienne fell silent, harboring a premonition that Abigail wasn't one to give up easily.

Such ambition wouldn't miss any opportunity, no matter how slim, only to return more fiercely.

Seizing the moment, Vivienne briefed Percival on the situation with the Wright family.

Percival's gaze darkened, his thoughts aligning with Vivienne's, "Given Abigail's ambition, those trivialities wouldn't interest her."

"However, before handing it over to the higher-ups, it might be worth letting the master take a look."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, "Is there a problem with the items?"

Percival pursed his lips, "The master has been investigating Abigail's background; he might recognize something."

Vivienne nodded; the master was currently away from the Perez family.

They could have Draven photograph the items and send them to the master for review.

Moreover, she planned to interrogate Declan Edwards tomorrow.

Any unforeseen findings could also be relayed to the master.

She was certain that Declan, silent until now, must have had deeper dealings with Abigail.

Just as Vivienne was about to call Draven to arrange things, Percival stopped her, "Hold off on that. Uncle Maddox called me on the way home, mentioning that my parents have gone abroad and are urgently trying to find someone." Vivienne was taken aback, "My parents went abroad?"

Percival nodded, "Seems like a spur-of-the-moment trip, hence no prior notice."

Vivienne was puzzled, "What does Uncle Maddox need from them?"

Before Percival could answer, Vivienne's phone rang - it was Maddox himself.

With a gesture from Percival, he left the room, leaving Vivienne to answer.

Maddox's voice was tinged with urgency, "Vivienne, you've got to help me out here. I get your folks wanted some alone time, but why pick now to disappear? I've been practically camping out at the Linklater place, and they just up and turned their phones off." Vivienne, trying to get to the heart of the matter, urged, "Uncle Maddox, what's the main issue?"

Taking a breath, Maddox blurted out, "Willa's set her terms: either Sasha is there for the engagement or the wedding doesn't happen at all."

Vivienne was speechless.

So, Uncle Maddox had popped the question successfully?

Maddox's voice was raw with urgency, "Can't get ahold of them, and the hotel is on my back. If I don't find someone soon, all my efforts this month are wasted. Willa's leaving town for business in a few days; we're running out of time." Vivienne realized Maddox was solely behind this endeavor, his romantic and ceremonial inclinations notwithstanding.

She rubbed her temple, "Uncle Maddox, maybe postpone the engagement until my parents..."

"No way!"

Maddox was adamant, "You know how long I've waited for this day, Vivienne. If Willa changes her mind, where does that leave me? Just three days, have them back for my engagement party, or I'll start making daily scenes at the Linklater's." Vivienne sighed, knowing Maddox's determination could indeed lead to embarrassment for both families.

Faced with this dilemma, she couldn't outright deny his request, imagining the lengths Maddox might go to in desperation.

"I'll try to reach them, but don't get your hopes up too high, Uncle Maddox."

Knowing her mother, if she wished to avoid disturbances, even the Perez family's resources wouldn't uncover a trace of her. Their only chance lay with the Linklater's, but they seemed to forget Arthur's capability.

With those two out and about, even a sniper in pursuit would be futile.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

No wonder Maddox was desperate enough to reach out to her.

As Percival reentered, Vivienne just finished the call, massaging her temples.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Exhaling, Vivienne shared, "Uncle Maddox is getting engaged and insists my mom must be there."

She had tried their numbers, to no avail.

Percival chuckled softly, "Coincidentally, Leopold has 'good news' for me too."

Vivienne looked up, "He's getting engaged as well?"

Percival's smile

held a hint of

mystery, Day after tomorrow. Leopold insists you and the master must sit at the main table. Without you two, the banquet won't start."

Vivienne's smile twitched involuntarily.

This time, Leopold was surprisingly swift. But now, what was she supposed to do?

One was demanding she find her parents, and the other insisted she be present in person. Could she possibly be in two places at once? Percival placed his hands gently on either side of her temples, pressing lightly, "Leave your parents to me; it's not a big deal."

It wasn't that Vivienne doubted Mr.

Wolf's capabilities; she was just too aware of her mother's temperament,

"You know as well as I do, if my mom doesn't want to be found, she won't be found."

Percival hummed in acknowledgment, "I never doubted your mother's skills, but sometimes a change of perspective can simplify things."

Vivienne looked up, surprised, "Mr. Wolf, what do you have in mind?"

Percival wagged his finger at her, "Pregnant ladies shouldn't stress. Just focus on resting, Vivienne."

Vivienne choked on her words.

Mr. Wolf was becoming more mysterious by the day.

Then again, Mr. Wolf's influence abroad was no less formidable than at home; maybe he could indeed trace her parents.

The next day.

Vivienne called Draven, asking him to photograph and send her some documents from the Chu family's side.

Draven agreed, then added, "Ma'am, the ashes of the two bodies from yesterday have been collected. How shall we proceed?" Vivienne paused, pushing back her plans to interrogate Declan, and asked Draven to choose a burial plot.

Then she drove to the Brooks family home.

It was nine in the morning, and only Cordelia was in.

Seeing Vivienne, Cordelia's pale face lit up with a smile, "Oh, Vivienne, come in, please."

Vivienne, standing at the doorway, said softly, "Cordelia, we've found them."

Cordelia's expression changed, she took a deep breath, and told Vivienne, "Just give me a moment, please."

They drove out of the city, onto a mountain road, and eventually stopped at the foot of a mountain.

This was Rivenwood's finest cemetery.

Vivienne stepped out to assist Cordelia, who shook her head, declining, "I'm alright, Vivienne."

Thomas also got out of the car, following behind Vivienne.

Percival had instructed him to always stay close to ensure her safety, wherever she went.

Even without Percival's instructions, Thomas had felt it - the presence of dozens of people nearby, not threatening, but always there when Vivienne was around.