The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

On the way back, Percival got a call from Leopold, saying there was a bit of a bother at the estate in the suburbs and asked him to come over.

Vivienne was behind the wheel since Percival had indulged in some wine over lunch.

She asked for directions, planning to drop him off before heading back to the Linklater estate.

Percival didn't agree; the suburbs were quite a trek from where they were, and more importantly, he had left the renovation of the place as a surprise for her. Seeing it in advance would spoil everything. In the end, Percival had Leopold come to pick him up.

Leopold showed up looking like he had battled with insomnia, dark circles and all.

He headed straight for the driver's side door, "Percival, you did this on purpose, don't think a mere record... Oh, Vivienne!"

Vivienne watched him calmly.

Leopold swallowed hard, his previously menacing demeanor deflated instantly, "Vivienne, what are you doing here? I thought it was..."

Percival, lounging in the passenger seat, squinting over, said, "And what if it was me? Planning on a quick murder?"

Leopold, "..."

Even if he harbored the thought, he lacked the guts, especially with Vivienne there. If he dared to lift a finger, Vivienne would have him turned to ash in seconds.

Leopold, with a forced chuckle, "Me? Never dare."

Vivienne, with a smirk, "Leopold, pull yourself together!"

Leopold felt a chill run down his spine.

Did Vivienne know something?

Why else would this couple speak in such a unified tone?

After dropping off Percival, Vivienne turned the car around, heading back to the Linklater estate.

As soon as Vivienne left, Leopold's demeanor changed, tossing the car keys to Percival, "You drive, I need a nap."

Percival gave him a look, "If I could drive, you wouldn't be here, would you?"

Leopold froze, "Since when are you unable to drive?"

Percival, "..."

no good deed goes

Meanwhile.

Linklater estate, there was a commotion at

detour, but

long, and no parent has

who knows if

so badly, and the kid's still clutching a lotus flower,

it might be unclear, but she knew

essentially the same, hard to distinguish from afar

holding

Vivienne thought of

crowd, the child lying in a pool of blood, clutching a twin

forward, lifting Winston in her arms, feeding him

just move someone after an accident, and what's with feeding him stuff...

what's with the act? Instead of rushing to a hospital, you're

a life we're talking about, are you even human to be

or

towards Vivienne's actions, with some

"Back off!"

turned ice-cold,

taken aback by Vivienne's aura, caught off guard but trying to save face, "You, you're harming a life, hurting him..." "So, you're going to save

retort left the man

onlookers who were

quick diagnosis, she realized Winston's injuries were

window to get to the hospital; otherwise, the outcome could be dire... Thinking this, Vivienne swiftly called Sasha, asking her to meet at the

seemed quicker

the

walked in to find Colin, as usual, pouring his herbal medicine

for so long, why won't you

flatly, "It's not

her, "You needed to

casually, "Bro,

casual, "No, why do you

Brianna shrugged, "The person

for him came to

vanished during his nap, and they couldn't find him even after checking the

"When did this happen?"

was startled by Colin's suddenly intense