The Million-Dollar Heart

In front of the Boyd Mansion.

As Wendy approached, she could not miss the sparkling ring on Vivienne's finger. Under her breath, she cursed, "That little bitch!"

But her face was all smiles as she said, "Percival, darling, why stand out here? You're at granny's now; there's no need to be so formal. Come on in!" Percival scanned Wendy with a glance. If it weren't for the mission he was concealing, he'd never again associate with the Boyds. It made his skin crawl.

"We haven't sanitized and showered yet; it wouldn't be proper to come in," Percival replied coolly.

Wendy despised him all the more for it.

Percival was even more insufferable than his grandfather. Give him an inch, and he would not take it. Those Ellingtons, all with a stick up their backside! But for the sake of that elusive trade route, she had to play along.

With a thwack, Wendy brought her solid oak cane down on the butler's shin, sending him tumbling to the ground in surprise.

"You ungrateful wretch, Percival's family, isn't he? I told you to have those riff-raff from who knows where to clean up, not Percival! You muddle-headed fool, you can kiss your bonus goodbye this month." Vivienne watched from the side, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.

Riff-raff from nowhere?

Was that directed at her?

Surely, it was.

After scolding the butler, Wendy turned back to Percival with a forced smile and said, "Percival, the servants are clueless sometimes. Please, come inside. Don't just stand out here." But Percival acted as if he had not heard Wendy. Instead, he turned to Vivienne.

Vivienne smiled lightly. "I heard it's Boyd tradition to sanitize and shower before meeting the head of the house?"

seconds before replying, "We don't have such a tradition

the ring on her finger, and without changing shoes, she and Percival stepped onto

felt like her organs were about to burst with rage.

grip on her cane tightened. She wanted to smash it over Vivienne's head

presence that even Wendy, well into her

reluctantly headed to the prepared decontamination

decontamination room, freshly dressed. Vivienne looked her over; she really had showered, and the fragrance of her body wash had muted the unpleasant odor. Wendy approached, her heart aching at

a sip of water, saying, "Percival, your aunt and

7:30 PM. Still out

into a sneer. After all these years, his grandmother had no new tricks. It was

Wendy would be home, claiming his aunt and uncle were out working, and they would eat when they returned. But once they did, they

wait for

she thought Percival had nothing to him but his looks. Now, he seemed to radiate a chilling aura, like someone who had

little bitch beside him, not a trace of girlishness

silent, devoid

Boyds

wife, Teresa, followed by their children. The injured butler stopped them, "Master Theodore, please proceed to the decontamination room for a shower and change, as

had never heard of such a thing as a household head or the need to sanitize

the butler. "You mutt, who do you think you're

his wife Nancy, and their