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
guests must change their shoes upon entry and proceed to the decontamination room for a cleansing shower before they can meet with the
shoes was one thing, but a
Mansion
processing before
gripping the butler's arm with her ring-adorned hand. A gentle squeeze was all it
head, and as he was about to curse, he
heirloom ring
did it end up in
slightly upward. "Isn't there a Boyd family rule that
butler, clutching his limp arm, knelt in
many families did, but as time passed and the world changed, these rules were slowly forgotten, especially by the younger generation, who would never truly expect someone
these protocols were seldom spoken
the family mentioned them, no one dared to
down at the butler on the ground,
"Ma'am, please wait
permission, the butler hurried into the Boyd mansion, his injured arm
"Trouble, matriarch!"
the butler burst in, agitation written all over his wrinkled face. "What's the rush? Is the house on fire?
reading glasses, Wendy looked every bit the
was visibly shaken at the
had searched for that ring
had hidden it, giving it to that cheap woman
and mother-in-law were best friends, which was
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