The Million-Dollar Heart

The lock clicked open, revealing its contents in the dim glow of the room. It was a stack of neatly enveloped documents and a book.

Vivienne rifled through the papers until her eyes fell upon a particular envelope marked boldly: [Paternity Test Results]!

[Test Subjects: Scott Brooks, Vivienne Hawthorn]

[Result: Positive Paternal Match]

Percival's heart skipped a beat as he read the results.

"A positive match?" He murmured, turning to Vivienne with a puzzled frown.

"What's going on? Didn't Vivienne say she was not Scott's daughter?" He thought.

He had investigated Vivienne's background only once initially, and it had come up empty. Thus, everything he knew about her was only everything she wanted him to know. Back then, she told him she was not Scott's daughter, and he had taken her at her word.

However, the paternity test showed that this was clearly not the case.

Vivienne sifted through the rest of the documents. There were ten in total, each one a paternity test from a different testing center, all with the same result. With a sly smile, she tucked the papers back into the envelope.

Turning to Percival, she explained, "I'm not his daughter. My mother had my genes altered. No matter which agency conducts the test, it'll always show a match."

Vivienne did not say more, but Percival understood her. There had to be a reason for Vivienne's mother to do this.

Without further ado, Vivienne directed Percival's attention to the book. It was not ancient, but it was worn, the kind that had been used often.

The book was actually a journal. Its pages were filled with handwriting added over time. However, the script within was foreign to Vivienne and Percival, not belonging to any known language or script they had ever encountered.

Glancing at the clock and noting the half-hour they had spent, Vivienne suggested, "Let's take photos and study this later."

nodded, quickly capturing the mysterious text with his smartphone. They then carefully placed the box

was buzzing with guests. After emerging from Scott's room, Vivienne and Percival parted ways. Percival exited the mansion

her way to the dining area, where Kala spotted her first and waved her over. "Vivienne, come join

Vivienne did not mind

beside her and whispered, "After we finish eating, we plan to hit the shops downtown. Come

only attended the event out of obligation to her family, to spare her parents any embarrassment. Now, she sought to ensure Vivienne would not feel uncomfortable staying at the party any longer than necessary. Thus, she made plans with Carl and the others to go shopping after

appreciated Kala's kindness and offered with a smile. "Maybe... I'll treat

at the spread before her. There were over a dozen appetizers, with more courses to come. Surely, they would be

keeping her

guests, especially to catch Percival's eye the moment

excuse herself, she caught sight of Percival stepping out of a car with Richard. Percival, in

quickly adjusted her expression and approached Percival with a

before she could finish, Percival strode past her without a glance, his

Calista watched as Richard gave her a dismissive look

grief. If Vivienne was not happy, neither was he And when he was unhappy, he was going to stir the

turned a shade of stormy blue. One man ignored her, and the other openly insulted

clenched her fists and forced a smile, her thoughts seething with indignation. They may not see her worth now, but she was determined to

entering the party, Richard immediately sought out Vivienne. Spotting her, he made his way

with some guests a short distance away. Instead of

jumped out of his

Percival spoke in a soft, teasing tone, "Leopold, have a few days apart made me

I'm, uh, quite comfortable

lingered on Leopold, the smile playing at his