The Million-Dollar Heart

The room fell into a stunned silence as Vivienne's declaration hung in the air.

She had actually agreed to it?

How could she possibly agree?

Ever since her engagement to Percival, their interactions had been the subject of much scrutiny. Vivienne may have seemed aloof on the surface, but she treated Percival differently from everyone else. It was commonly believed that Vivienne held a fondness for him.

Yet, she had just consented to break off the engagement?

Kala and Carl sat with their mouths agape, words failing them.

Even Judith, Scott and Timothy were taken aback by Vivienne's ready acquiescence.

Particularly Judith. She had braced herself for a battle of words when she broached the subject. But to her astonishment, Vivienne had capitulated so easily with barely a sentence spoken.

Kala was the first to snap back to reality from the prolonged moment of shock. She hurried to Vivienne's side and took a seat, pleading, "Vivienne, think this through. I know it's upsetting that Scott is acknowledging Calista, but you can't just gamble with your happiness like this."

Kala grasped Vivienne's hand earnestly, trying to reason with her. She assumed Vivienne was agreeing to the annulment because of Calista.

But Vivienne simply turned to her with a sudden smile. "Seems like she's got quite the influence, doesn't she? Should we just indulge her?" she retorted.

Her smile was enchanting, and for a moment, Kala was utterly spellbound and forgetting to respond.

Judith, on the other hand, was relieved; a smile graced her face at last.

Vivienne was no longer at odds with her. She thought.

"Good! This is for the best. From now on the Brooks family can finally be at peace,. Nothing is better than family unity," she said with warmth in her voice. Calista, coming to her senses, quickly chimed in, "Sis, I've made a mistake. Whatever you need, just tell me. I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you." There was a hint of guilt on her face whereas it was tinged with a smug satisfaction. The thought of becoming Percival's woman filled her with a rush of exhilaration. Percival would ultimately be hers.

Vivienne scoffed and pulled out her cell phone, dialing Matthew.

He answered quickly and she got straight to the point, "Go to the Ellingtons. Annul the engagement."

side. He couldn't believe

"Just say that the patriarch of the Brooks family and the patriarch of the Ellingtons had arranged a marriage. They now request that the most

Matthew was speechless.

What the hell?

family had just welcomed Calista back and now they were doing this

Matthew texted Jerry: [The Brooks family wants Vivienne and Percival to

Jerry and the other

way to

to enjoy a drink with Richard when the housekeeper announced Matthew's arrival. Percival

have

brow furrowed as he commanded, "Let him

time, the housekeeper brought

something wrong with Vivienne?"

awkwardly before breaking the news, "I've

suddenly and there was a palpable

abruptly, "Why on earth would they annul a perfectly

his glare on Percival, "You little rascal, did you do something to

at all. He had just left the

directly at Matthew. His presence

Matthew began to relay the

marry you instead, so they asked

eye on Percival for fearing an outburst

thugs have heads full of muck! Are they tired of living comfortably by constantly causing trouble for Vivienne? And what's Calista's worth? She thinks she can claim my chosen heir with her homely face? How big does

time. If I were to pass away, what then? That old cap Baron is unable to keep his house in order. No wonder the Brooks can't hold a candle to the Ellingtons. With that attitude, he'd

stand for this," Richard fumed, "I handpicked Vivienne to be my granddaughter-in-law, and anyone bullies her will walk over my dead body! As for Calista, who the hell is

stormed outside, muttering about blowing up the

at Percival, "Should I head back then?" Percival

he managed to

let Vivienne down, after