The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The next day, Vivienne woke to find Percival already gone from her side.

After freshening up, she wandered into the kitchen to find Percival busy at work. Clad in an apron, he moved with a deliberate grace, preparing breakfast with the morning light casting a different kind of glow upon him.

Watching him, Vivienne felt a profound sense of peace.

Percival looked up to see her standing in the doorway. He walked over and playfully tapped her nose. “Just a bit longer. Breakfast is almost ready.”

She smiled softly. “Okay.”

Soon, the meal was ready. Considering Vivienne had overexerted herself the previous day, Percival had simmered a chicken soup. The chicken, bought fresh that morning by Thomas, was accompanied by two side dishes and a couple of eggs. Neither of them had a big appetite; the portions were just right for two.

After eating, Percival handed Vivienne a napkin and wiped his mouth with another. He looked at her seriously. “Vivienne, I plan to start searching for your biological father.”

Vivienne’s fingers paused, and her eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment, she asked, “Why?”

The concept of finding her father wasn’t new to her, but she had almost no information about him. Her mother had always avoided the truth, and now that she was comatose, Vivienne had even less hope of finding him. She had almost given up the idea; the word “father” was foreign to her.

Although Dorian Hawthorn had cherished her as his own daughter, it wasn’t the same as having a biological father. For Vivienne, it was enough that her mother was alive.

In truth, there was a time when Vivienne resented her father. She couldn’t understand how a man could leave a woman pregnant and not show his face for over twenty years. Although Karen had told her that her father was an incredible man, she felt he failed in his duties, never providing her with any fatherly love.

“Master said, for us to marry, your father must be present,” Percival took her hand earnestly.

“The license was a spur of the moment, but for the wedding, I want your father there.”

Vivienne remained silent.

after yesterday… I don’t want to wait. I want to organize our wedding

marriage license, their two families discussed the date of the wedding. However, since Karen had yet to wake, they agreed to hold the wedding

fair to Vivienne until the ceremony was held, despite the marriage license. The Perez family, while also eager for the wedding, were more concerned about

hardships to finally reunite with each other after so many

for two years. If she awoke within that time, the wedding would be heldBooks

wouldn’t wait any longer. They did not want to delay Vivienne’s wedding

was Percival’s strict adherence to Karen’s words: her father must attend her wedding. But with scant information available, all he could do was try his best, knowing only

“Alright.”

to Frostfire Intelligence Agency’s Rivenwood outpost to seek clues for her father, entrusting them with the search. Percival went to Vanguard Agency to deal with the aftermath of Samantha’s escape and Francis’

he carried an appointment letter naming Thomas as the new Deputy Director of the Rivenwood Vanguard Agency. Upon delivering the letter to Vance’s

Percival paused, “Who?”

development, having been focused on F-Poison. But now that things were settling down,

one,” Vance gestured

usually impassive eyes brightened. “You mean, the

Veridia, there was a legend named Arthur, known as

called personally, instructing everyone at Vanguard Agency to stay

glanced at Percival, clicking his tongue. “Seems

“Vanguard Agency has been at ease for too long; a good storm might just

glare. “Don’t beat around the bush. I admit I’m not Mr.

arched an

to meet his hero. But