Vivienne cradled her mug of steaming coffee, the vaporous tendrils partially veiling her eyes, adding a touch of mystery to her gaze.

Diana's message to Vivienne was crystal clear: "Remember your place. You're nothing more than an adopted granddaughter, not even by blood. Don't get too comfortable thinking you're one of us." She was staking her claim as the Perez family's one and only darling daughter, warning Vivienne to stay in her lane.

How ironic. Who was really trying to prove they belong?

Vivienne chuckled. "I've never been one to hold back around Grandpa. You needn't worry on my behalf."

Diana let out a few forced laughs, sipping her coffee to mask her insecurity.

This Vivienne, she was certainly not one to mince words!

When Zelda and Percival arrived, the dinner table buzzed with their lively conversation. Diana, often finding herself on the periphery, could only offer a strained smile. The meal passed with her in relative silence.

When it came time to settle the bill, Percival, the only gentleman present, had already discreetly taken care of it. It would not do to have the ladies pay.

Diana, pleased but pretending to chide, said, "I said this one was on me. Next time, you mustn't sneak ahead of me."

Zelda rolled her eyes in private disdain. She could not stand Diana's pettiness.

A meal's cost was hardly worth remembering, was it not?

With the evening advancing, Zelda and Diana bid farewell to Vivienne and Percival.

On the drive back, Percival mentioned, "Leopold's headed to Sea City to take over for Thomas. He's already on his way."

Vivienne acknowledged with a nonchalant, "Expected."

Percival, hands on the wheel, was still puzzling over Vance's agenda. What was he really after?

a matter of the mission, and neither Leopold nor Percival would

position, musing, "Vance sending Leopold to assist

seemed to revolve around this ancient warrior lineage. Just how deep did the

place, headlights flashed from

Percival exchanged a surprised glance, neither

"Uncle,

"Get

off after

drove them to a posh, unfamiliar villa neighborhood, searching for a bit before finding the

where are

old property I bought. Got a bit lost finding it. Dad never wanted to live in such a place, so we let it go to waste. Ah, but I remember the house number

clearly had been vacant for a while, with

home. The place gets cleaned occasionally, but there's nothing in the fridge. Maybe I should've brought a case of Coke," Maddox sighed with disdain and

What did you need to see

before speaking, "Vivienne, you're aware of the paternity test you took with Grandpa,

"Yes, I know.

I haven't found evidence yet. So today,

Otherwise, we wouldn't be here." Maddox's

her

long ago, and only one person could match her

and blood, they could not detect

got people investigating the

are you so convinced

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