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.
Percival was sure he would have taken off the butler's arm with a single, swift
decontamination room for a cleansing shower before they
was one thing,
the Boyd Mansion hiding
sterile processing
forward, gripping the butler's arm with her ring-adorned hand. A gentle squeeze was all it took for the
about to curse, he caught sight
heirloom ring of
in the hands of
there a Boyd family rule that
arm, knelt
but as time passed and the world changed,
these protocols were seldom spoken of, they
of the family mentioned
butler on the ground, Vivienne spoke sternly, "Is it
quickly got up and bowed. "Ma'am, please wait here.
permission, the butler hurried into the Boyd mansion, his injured arm
"Trouble, matriarch!"
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
Wendy looked every bit the matriarch despite
it's that slut... That woman has
composed, was visibly shaken at the mention of the
that ring
her mother had hidden it, giving it to that
which was why she could marry
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