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?

mission, and neither Leopold

musing, "Vance sending Leopold to assist Griffin... Could it be related to the

seemed to revolve around this ancient warrior

pulled up to Vivienne's place, headlights flashed

exchanged a surprised glance, neither expecting Maddox to show up

"Uncle, what

opened the door. "Get in. We need

the seriousness, drove off

neighborhood, searching for a bit before

where are we?" Vivienne

an 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

had been vacant for a while, with furniture

gets cleaned occasionally, but there's nothing in the fridge. Maybe I should've brought a case of Coke,"

"What's up, Uncle? What did you need to

in before speaking, "Vivienne, you're aware of the paternity test

paused, then said, "Yes, I know. There

a problem with that test. Someone tampered with it, but I haven't found evidence yet. So today, your Uncle Yuri took another sample

be here." Maddox's brows

nodded, her expression

had been altered long ago, and only one person could match

and blood, they

got people investigating the testing center and the doctor involved. There's something wrong here,"

"Why are you so convinced the test

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