The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne chuckled and set little Thaddeus on the ground before greeting Astrid and Alfred with a friendly nod.

No sooner had she sat down than Cordelia began to fuss over her with a mother's concern.

"Vivienne, dear, has the Brooks family been skimping on the meals? You look like you've slimmed down," she said, her eyes brimming with worry. "I'll have to fix you up with some extra helpings of meat to get you some proper nutrients.

If it's too much, you could always come back home. Your father's business is picking up, and we've got plenty of room. No need to stay with the Brooks and put up with any hardships!" Cordelia's voice cracked as she spoke, her eyes reddening at the thought.

She would never have let Vivienne suffer with the Brooks family if they had not been down on their luck when they arrived in Rivenwood.

With Scott missing, despite the Brooks family keeping a tight lid on the news, whispers had traveled through the business community. Without her biological father at home, the Brooks family likely treated Vivienne like an afterthought.

Cordelia's heart ached just thinking about it.

Why did such a sweet child have to go through so much hardship?

Astrid quickly handed Cordelia a tissue, comforting her, "Mom, it's good that Vivienne is here. We should be celebrating being together."

Cordelia sniffled. "Yes, you're right. If you could come home more often, we'd have even more time together."

Astrid playfully stuck out her tongue. "Vivienne, I can't cheer her up. Your turn."

Thaddeus piped up from the side. "Mommy's crying! Does she want cake?"

Alfred ruffled Thaddeus' hair. "Looks to me like someone else is angling for cake!"

"I am not!" protested Thaddeus, though his expression gave him away.

Their banter lightened the mood considerably.

gathered for a lively dinner, opting for a hearty barbeque, and Dorian was in high spirits, perhaps indulging a bit

refrained from her usual matchmaking, but she still managed to hint at Alfred about taking his relationship with Astrid seriously and not

directed at Percival, though Cordelia did not dare meddle too directly. It was not out of fear but rather because Percival had an intimidating presence, almost as

knew, he would have protested, "Me? Never! I'm

the meal, a tipsy Dorian clung to Percival, saying, "You better treat our Vivienne right. If you hurt her, I'll bring her home and break

boldness. He would

why would Mr. Ellington

did not seem bothered, understanding that Dorian was

the car, promising, "Don't worry, Dad. I won't

Dorian, Cordelia, and Thaddeus departed, an embarrassed Astrid glanced at Percival, "Sorry about that. Dad can get a bit

replied with a light

and then glanced at Vivienne, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Vivienne, I owe you thanks. I can't always be here because of work, and Thaddeus alerted us to the situation.

embarrassed,

gentle as she replied, "We're family. No

said, wiping away

definitely your mother's daughter, always so quick to

teased, unable to hide

casual conversation, Astrid said, "I'll stay in Rivenwood for a while. Let's go

just give me a

parting ways, Vivienne's expression turned contemplative. Sensing her mood, Percival gently ruffled her

is getting impatient again, Mr. Wolf. My

whispering close to her ear, "Let's

tempting

against her fingers, his voice deep and magnetic. "Give them one round for

one round it is," Vivienne agreed,

meal, Percival suggested they walk it off nearby to clear their

not gone far when they bumped into Aaron and his

are you doing here?" Aaron's excitement upon

his mood soured as soon as he noticed Percival by