At the Boyd Mansion, a shadow began to cast itself over Percival Ellington's usually charming features.
Truth be told, he had not frequented the Boyd Mansion often, but the few times he did, his visits invariably ended with Cecilia in tears.
As a kid, he could not fathom why the Boyds had such contempt for his mother. As he grew up, the reasons became apparent, and he stopped coming altogether.
Vivienne gazed out the car window. The Boyd Mansion was a majestic sight, grander even than the Brooks Mansion, which Maddox Perez had offhandedly referred to as "little space." "Percival, Ma'am, we've arrived," announced Thomas as he switched off the engine and stepped out to open the car door.
Percival helped Vivienne out of the car, and they stood in front of the massive gates of the Boyd Mansion. His eyes, deep as the ocean, seemed unfathomable.
He stepped forward and rang the doorbell.
"Who's there?" Came an inquiry through the intercom.
A slight frown creased Percival's brow as he replied, "Percival."
There was a momentary pause on the other end before the gate was buzzed open.
The wrought iron gate swung open slowly, yet curiously, no one came out to greet them.
Percival's frown deepened, a thin veil of anger enveloping him.
Vivienne gently tapped the back of his hand and offered a reassuring smile.
The anger surrounding Percival dissipated instantly, and with a smile, he took Vivienne's hand, and they walked in together.
At the entrance, two servants stood aside, revealing a man in a casual suit, the Boyd family butler. "Mr. Ellington, I presume. Please come in. The matriarch has been awaiting you." Percival did not respond, intending to proceed with Vivienne.
Unexpectedly, the butler stepped in their way.
sure he would have taken off the butler's arm
decontamination room for a cleansing shower before they can meet with the matriarch. You haven't forgotten our
was one thing, but a decontamination
Mansion hiding a
processing
stepped forward, gripping the butler's arm with her ring-adorned hand. A gentle squeeze was all it took for the sound of
and as he was about to curse, he caught
ring of the Boyd
did it end up in the hands of this
upward. "Isn't there a Boyd family rule that requires one to kneel to
clutching his limp arm, knelt
the world changed, these rules were slowly
spoken of,
the family mentioned them,
butler on the ground,
understanding, quickly got up and bowed. "Ma'am,
Vivienne's permission, the butler hurried into the Boyd
"Trouble, matriarch!"
the financial evening news, Wendy Boyd saw the butler burst in, agitation written all over his wrinkled face. "What's the rush? Is the house on fire? Didn't I tell you to take Percival and his country slut
her regal bearing and gold-rimmed reading glasses, Wendy looked every
butler managed, "No, it's that slut... That woman
visibly shaken at the
that ring for thirty
hidden it, giving
and mother-in-law were best friends, which was why she could marry into the
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