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 back and

parted ways. Percival exited

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

Vivienne did not

pulled Vivienne to sit beside her and whispered, "After we finish eating,

parents any embarrassment. Now, she sought to ensure Vivienne would not feel uncomfortable staying at the party any longer

and offered with a smile. "Maybe... I'll treat

Confused, Kala glanced at the spread before her. There were over a dozen appetizers, with

just grinned, keeping her plans to

impatience. She had insisted on greeting the guests, especially to catch Percival's eye the moment he arrived. Yet, he was nowhere to be seen, and the flattery of insincere

stepping out of a car with Richard. Percival, in his black suit, exuded an air of sophistication and aloofness that pulled at Calista's

her expression and approached Percival with a

strode past her without a glance,

place, Calista watched as Richard gave her a

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

shade of stormy blue. One man ignored her, and the other

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

party, Richard immediately sought out Vivienne. Spotting her, he made his way over and declared, "Vivienne, come sit

short distance away. Instead of joining her, he

out of his skin and instinctively shuffled behind his dad

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

skin crawled, and he chuckled awkwardly. "Ahem! I'm, uh, quite comfortable here, thanks... You enjoy your

the smile playing at