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!"

several young boys were playing basketball outside. Noticing newcomers,

hearing, turned

She waved at him.

his white basketball jersey, said goodbye to his friends and

glanced at Percival and shyly greeted, "Sis, brother-in-law, you're

made Percival grin, patting the boy's head,

Thaddeus beamed with joy.

great!" Percival handed him the latest

eyes lit up at the sight, "Wow, the new Bumblebee helmet! It's voice-controlled and transforms just like a real robot!" He had wanted it

gift it for his birthday,

thrilled, "Thank you,

was over

eyed Thaddeus, "Huh, Percival's the best, and

best!" Thaddeus' sweet talk

that sweet mouth, you're going to

don't need much wooing, just give

Vivienne was speechless.

into laughter, "You've got a girlfriend

girl's heart was

was like an engagement gift, and that she'd marry me when we

busy people, no time for

Percival

days are

seven, already

wouldn't have time for

asked, "Which

marrying me

Percival was stunned.

This kid!

his sister but now he's

His face darkened instantly.

empathize with

run

teeth, Percival glared at Thaddeus, "Don't worry,

in 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 Ellington were top students - he, the class president, and she, the study commissioner. Let's say

Isolde took this very