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,

keen hearing, turned and spotted

She waved at him.

white basketball jersey, said goodbye to his friends and

at Percival and shyly

address made Percival grin, patting the boy's head, "Say it

Thaddeus beamed with joy.

him the latest Bumblebee

Bumblebee helmet! It's voice-controlled and transforms just like

gift it for his birthday,

thrilled, "Thank you, you're

was over

eyed Thaddeus, "Huh, Percival's the

best!" Thaddeus' sweet talk

said, "With that sweet mouth, you're going to

don't need much wooing, just give

Vivienne was speechless.

into laughter, "You've got a

another little girl's heart

her as my girlfriend, but she said the candy I gave her was like an engagement gift,

sighed deeply, "Scientists are busy people, no

Percival exchanged looks,

these days are so

seven, already talking

wouldn't have time for a girlfriend if he became

intrigued, asked, "Which

insists on marrying me when we're older,

Percival was stunned.

This kid!

charm his sister but now he's acting

His face darkened instantly.

now empathize

like watching someone else run off with your

at Thaddeus, "Don't worry,

president, she's the study commissioner!" Thaddeus was puzzled. Even in first grade, both Thaddeus and Isolde Ellington were top students

and Isolde took this very