The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1138

Floyd couldn't help but glance towards the car where Juliette was eagerly peering out the window at him, while Isaiah, although engrossed in his book, was subtly paying attention to the scene unfolding outside. Percival, from the driver's seat, was casting a warm gaze towards Vivienne, who wore a gentle smile on her face.

Suppressing the surge of excitement within, Floyd feigned resilience and shook his head, "Thanks, but I won't intrude any further. You guys should head back for dinner."

After a brief silence, Vivienne spoke, "Are you sure? It's not safe for a kid to be out here at night, and you look like you haven't had dinner. If you don't come with us, I'll have no choice but to drive you home."

Upon hearing Vivienne's offer to take him home, Floyd immediately panicked, hopping out of his spot as if fearing she might actually proceed with her plan the next second, "Then I'll come with you."

Vivienne nodded in approval, "Let's go. You can sit with Juliette and the others."

Vivienne opened the car door for Floyd, as the children had already made room for him.

"What made you sneak out like this?" Juliette asked curiously.

Floyd looked out the window, remaining silent on the topic; it seemed he didn't have the courage to delve too much into it. The feeling of being unloved was something he bore alone; Juliette and Isaiah couldn't possibly understand. "One of the gifts we got you had the LEGO set you've been wanting. Your parents must be worried sick about you running off like this. After dinner, my dad will drive you back." Juliette's chatter didn't cease, but it didn't stop Floyd either.

"I doubt they'd even look for me," Floyd murmured quietly amidst her ramblings.

Percival caught Floyd's reflection in the rearview mirror, the small figure looking so forlorn looking out the window.

This revelation also reached Vivienne's ears, offering a glimpse into Floyd's troubling family dynamics, which explained a lot.

Despite Juliette's incessant talking, thankfully, Floyd didn't seem distressed by the situation, which was a small relief.

Initially planning to dine out, Percival considered that the kids had never experienced his cooking, especially with a guest over today, and ultimately decided to dine at home.

Upon arrival, Floyd appeared somewhat reserved, prompting Vivienne to glance at the kids, "You're in charge of entertaining our guest."

"Roger that, Mom!"

"Okay, Mom!"

off to their room, soon emerging with toys spread

the toys." Juliette seemed to have forgotten any earlier disputes, eagerly pulling Floyd into their

softened Vivienne's heart, grateful that, at least for now, the

he was chopping vegetables, he cautioned, "Quit it, I'm cutting vegetables. Be careful not to get hurt." "You won't hurt me," Vivienne retorted with

in the living room;

toys and not paying

mulled over her words, "Hmm, you're right. Have we

questioning why Mr. Wolf's mind always

expression, he wasn't joking but seriously assessing the kitchen's

with your wild ideas, focus on

gently grabbed her hand, "We've been through this many times, still shy? Seems I need to try

to cut it short, earning a satisfied peck

three kids, having

had varied

accustomed to his parents'

how much they adored each other, which only confirmed his grandpa's frequent

the moment with her phone, delighted

shock and sadness, contrasting the love he saw with the disdain within his

"What are you standing there for? Need any

and Isaiah had vanished,

Caught again.

get for spacing out and not

bit hungry," Floyd mustered, after a moment of

a bit, dinner's

"Alright."

to resume playing with the toys, while Vivienne headed back to her study

his shift when a peculiar scent left him weakened, collapsing before fully understanding

shadowy figure stepped over him, pushing open the door and moving down the

on

to catch his breath, still recovering from an episode. He barely managed to see a pair of shoes stop in front of him before hands roughly grabbed his hair Unable to