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.
hand, Percival was sure he would have taken off the butler's arm with
upon entry and proceed to the decontamination room for a cleansing shower before they can meet with the matriarch. You haven't forgotten our rules, have
thing, but
Mansion hiding
processing before
arm with her ring-adorned hand. A gentle squeeze
about
that the heirloom ring of the Boyd
in the hands
"Isn't there a Boyd family rule that requires one to
limp arm,
protocols. In fact, 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
were seldom spoken
head of the family mentioned them,
ground,
"Ma'am, please
Vivienne's permission, the butler hurried into the Boyd mansion, his injured
"Trouble, matriarch!"
written all over his wrinkled face. "What's the rush? Is the house on fire? Didn't I
reading glasses, Wendy looked every bit the matriarch despite her
the butler managed, "No, it's that slut... That
was visibly shaken at the mention of the
had searched for that ring for thirty
hidden it, giving it to that cheap woman
which was why she could marry
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