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."

with his smartphone. They then carefully placed the box back and vanished from

parted ways.

area, where Kala spotted her first and waved her over. "Vivienne, come join

Kala's table sat Ronald, Carl, Ashley, and Darren. All the people Vivienne did

to sit beside her and whispered, "After we finish eating, we plan to hit the

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

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

dozen appetizers, with more

Vivienne just grinned, keeping her

Judith in a lavish designer dress, her poise a mask for her growing impatience. She had insisted on greeting the guests, especially to catch Percival's eye the moment he arrived.

she was about to excuse herself, she caught sight of Percival stepping out of a car with Richard. Percival, in his black suit, exuded an air of sophistication and

quickly adjusted her expression and approached Percival

past her without a glance, his indifference cutting her

gave

granddaughter-in-law such grief. If Vivienne was not happy, neither was he And when he was unhappy, he was going to stir the pot.

face turned a shade of stormy blue. One man ignored her, and the other openly insulted her. She was the Brooks family's

the crowd's curious eyes fell upon her, Calista clenched her fists and forced a smile, her thoughts seething with indignation. They may not see her worth now, but she was determined

her, he made

Vivienne, who was mingling with some guests a short distance away. Instead of joining her, he made his way to the Sterling family's table and took

spotted him, he nearly jumped out of

of his eyebrows and a crooked smile, Percival spoke in a soft, teasing tone, "Leopold, have a few days apart made me a stranger? Come on, sit

I'm, uh, quite comfortable

smile playing at his