The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Sasha knew Vivienne was heading to the Brooks' for a visit and instructed her assistant to fetch some gifts they had received from the Perez family, for Vivienne to take along. Percival casually took them from her hands.

Glancing at the clock, Vivienne said to Sasha, "Mom, we'll talk about that matter when I get back."

Sasha nodded in agreement. Some conversations needed more than just a few minutes, and now wasn't the right time.

Leaving the Linklater residence, Vivienne sat in the passenger seat, only then realizing Percival was driving instead of Leopold. "Where's Leopold? Why isn't he with you?"

Percival merged onto the road, replying casually, "He's been tied up lately."

"Tied up?"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow in surprise, as if she had just confirmed something, "Weren't you two together this morning?"

She remembered hearing Leopold's voice in the background when she had called Percival earlier that day.

With a smooth turn of the steering wheel and a glance towards Vivienne, Percival chuckled, "You've got sharp ears, Mrs. Wolf."

He continued, "He kind of let your martial arts brothers trash my properties. Making him do some hard labor doesn't seem unfair, does it?"

A smile played on Vivienne's lips, "Not unfair at all. He could use the workout."

"He volunteered. I didn't force him," Percival added.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, "Mr. Wolf, did you catch him in a compromising situation?"

"To him, it might as well be the end of the world. Enough to make him listen to me for a good while, or at least not dare to defy me," Percival revealed. Vivienne tilted her head, her eyes narrowing with intrigue, "You didn't capture some scandalous photos of him, did you?"

Percival gave her an affectionate smile, "Do I seem that tasteless to you?"

Vivienne pursed her lips, noncommittal.

Unable to bear her sudden silence, Percival confessed, "Stop worrying. It's a recording of a confession!"

Vivienne's smile broadened in understanding, "He finally got a clue."

Percival's smile widened, "I'll send it to you later. Griffin Martinez will owe you one."

Vivienne laughed lazily, "Aren't you afraid Leopold will come after you?"

"He wouldn't dare!"

"Exactly!"

were playing basketball outside. Noticing newcomers, one of the

with her keen hearing, turned and

She waved at him.

in his white basketball jersey, said goodbye

to Vivienne, he glanced at Percival and shyly greeted,

the boy's head, "Say it again; it sounds

Thaddeus beamed with joy.

him the latest Bumblebee helmet toy,

helmet! It's voice-controlled and transforms just like a real robot!" He had wanted it

for his birthday, but Percival beat them to

thrilled, "Thank you, you're the

was over the

Thaddeus, "Huh, Percival's the

very best, and Percival's second best!"

said, "With that sweet mouth, you're

"Sis, girlfriends don't need much

Vivienne was speechless.

laughter, "You've

girl's heart was about

candy I gave her was like an engagement gift, and that she'd marry me when we grow up. But I don't want to get married; want to

sighed deeply, "Scientists are busy

Percival

these days are

seven, already talking about

time for a girlfriend

intrigued, asked, "Which little lady

at Percival, distressed, "She insists on marrying me when we're older, and I don't know what

Percival was stunned.

This kid!

his sister but now he's acting

His face darkened instantly.

empathize with

run

glared at Thaddeus, "Don't worry, I'll make sure she

the same class, and I'm the class president, she's the study commissioner!" Thaddeus was puzzled. Even in first grade, both Thaddeus and Isolde

and Isolde took this very