Percival and Vivienne communicated through their eyes, unaware of the world around them. It was as if singletons Thomas and Leopold didn’t exist.

Listening to Mara’s tearful saga, Cecilia’s face was a portrait of utter confusion. “What do you mean Vivienne killed Huxley?”

She pushed Mara away. “Are you out of your mind? If Vivienne really wanted Huxley dead, why would she bring him back in broad daylight for all to see? She could’ve just left him to rot in M State, couldn’t she?”

Mara was choked up, disbelieving. “But I saw Huxley there…”

Cecilia rolled her eyes. “Are you sure it was Huxley? I saw the guy sprinting out of here not half an hour ago. You’re not suggesting that in the past thirty minutes, Vivienne murdered him and then paraded his body just to show off? What do you think she is, brainless like you?”

After a verbal barrage that left Mara speechless, it became clear that Cecilia, who was typically distant and cold to her, had surprisingly come to the defense.

Onlookers Vivienne and Percival, accustomed to Cecilia’s clean but sharp tongue, were the first to react. “Thomas, Leopold, lock down the city and find Huxley!”

Vivienne, not one to sit idle, texted Draven; [Draven, take a team and scour the city for Huxley. If you find him, bring him to Ellington Manor.]

It seemed that the heavens were conspiring to keep Vivienne busy. Just when she thought she could enjoy a couple of days of freedom, trouble was brewing anew.

Clueless about their plan but sensing urgency in Vivienne’s demeanor, Cecilia asked, “What’s up? Has Huxley done something stupid again?”

Thomas couldn’t help but comment, “That ‘again’ is spot on.”

Vivienne patted Cecilia on the shoulder. “Someone sent a synthetic replica of Huxley to the hospital, aiming to harm my mother. Today, we’re going to flush out the mastermind behind this.”

Percival chimed in, “Mom, has Huxley been acting strange lately?”

“What are you implying?!”

Mara, who had been eavesdropping from the staircase, inwardly cursed Huxley’s failure to eliminate Karen, depriving Vivienne of experiencing the same grief.

stood up defiantly. “You suspect Huxley of wanting to

possibly harm your mother? Plus, with the medicine you gave me still in my system, he wouldn’t

raised an eyebrow, deftly pulling Vivienne’s hand away from Mara’s grip. “We can’t be

“What?” Mara was bewildered.

your importance. Your life might not mean much to him.

Vivienne, you’re too

was the murderer. If they did, her days within the Ellington family

Vivienne asked provocatively. “Ms. Boyd, so

“Vivienne doesn’t need your input

of the city, Huxley was frantically yelling into the phone. “They’ve captured the synthetic! What’s the deal with your operation?

met with a cold laugh from Huxley. “Easy for you to say!

seductive and chilling, reassured him, “Don’t worry, I have faith in you. If not in yourself, at least believe

Huxley, snapping out of

Damn it all!

they refused to help

even handle Vivienne’s aunt, Willa. Some power players

hadn’t trusted that woman and

What now?

more tricks up her sleeve than a Vegas magician. What would she do to

that moment, Huxley was acutely aware that he had sent a synthetic replica in his stead. Remembering the footage he saw on the security feed, he

Plead?

in Huxley’s eyes as panic gave way to a sinister

Vivienne, isn’t

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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