The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1136

Hearing Thomas's voice, Brody didn't bother looking up. "The sorry state he's in? I crafted that with my own two hands. The misery he's swallowing is my painstaking labor of love. Seeing the fruits of my labor take effect is truly satisfying. The more he suffers, the more

potent my potion proves to be. How could I not be thrilled?"

After finishing the sandwich in his hand, Brody let out a leisurely burp. "Looks like I'll have to bring more snacks next time."

When it came to a wicked sense of humor, Thomas had nothing on Brody.

Clearly, Brody was just there to check on Connor's condition. After gobbling down his snack, he clapped Thomas on the shoulder, ready to leave, "Keep me posted if anything goes south. I've got to grab something more to eat. I'm out."

Brody vanished as swiftly as he had arrived, leaving Thomas to carry out his usual checks on Connor. By the time he emerged, his clothes were stained with more than a few spots of blood.

The guard couldn't help but peek inside at the sight.

Outside the school gates.

Vivienne and Percival had arrived at the school gates bright and early, only to find that other parents were just as eager to see their little ones.

Their arrival didn't go unnoticed, drawing curious glances and hushed whispers from the other parents.

"Those two look so young, their kid's already in elementary school? They barely look out of their twenties, quite the match. Wonder how cute their kid must be."

"Do they even look like parents? More like they're here to pick up a niece or nephew. What kind of college kids have kids?"

"Looks more like aunt and uncle to me."

Their whispers didn't miss Vivienne and Percival's ears, prompting a suppressed chuckle from Vivienne.

Being mistaken for being in her twenties? Flattering, but troublesome.

Vivienne glanced at Percival, "Following me around, you're getting the better end of the deal, looking like you've knocked a decade off your age."

response, playing along, "Yeah, who'd think we're

gently brushed his finger across Vivienne's

especially given how attractive both Vivienne and Percival were, making their interactions seem all the more genuine and endearing. As the school bell rang, kids began to flood

"Mummy!"

Vivienne and Percival, waving

with a smile, allowing the kids to run

today!" Juliette bounded over to Vivienne's

to ruffle her hair, with Isaiah

was school today?" Vivienne playfully messed

good!" Juliette piped

the family of four intertwined hands, heading towards the

the distance, a solitary figure, Floyd, watched the scene with a hint of envy. Even after a long absence, his parents' love for Juliette and her brother was undiminished, wasn't

remembered Juliette's words to him earlier that day,

How come I never see them pick you up? You always tease me, but now my mum and dad are back. Where are

Indeed, where were his?

to Floyd that his parents had eyes only for their

said, having found Floyd standing still amidst the crowd. "Your parents are waiting at home, excited to

of the few in the household who truly

got your favorite

Let's have a happy evening," she said, her smile somehow stinging Floyd's eyes. He wondered if

Juliette's, where even in their parents' absence, there were loving guardians. All he had was his nanny. Floyd looked back one last time, now

away from her ear to look at Juliette, "Okay, I'll make sure to

her smile

expected, Vivienne's first move after ending the call was to turn to the kids, "What exactly happened at school today? I need you two to

up, "There

this at the school gates? And teaming up

want you to be mad at me," Juliette mumbled, avoiding eye contact. "It

spill the beans to Vivienne; she had hoped to bury

crossed, her tone icy, "Did I ever teach

anger, bit her lip, "We weren't bullying him-he bullies us too! You can't just scold us because he ended up sad. You