The Million-Dollar Heart

Percival stared at Arthur with an intensity that seemed to cut right through him as if trying to read his soul.

But Arthur was an enigma, a book whose pages refused to be turned.

Despite Percival's knack for sizing people up, Arthur, the revered War God of Veridia, remained an untold story to him.

With just a side glance, Arthur seemed to catch onto Percival's musings and let out a derisive chuckle. "You're wondering why I know about the elixir of life? Why I brought it up in front of you? Whether I'm a traitor?"

Percival was speechless, thinking, "Can you read minds or what?"

Wait a second.

Why did his tone sound so familiar?

Arthur stood up, his gaze icy as he gave Percival a once-over. "Kid, you've got a lot to learn. Some things aren't as simple as they appear on the surface!"

With that, Arthur turned on his heel and strode away.

Pausing at the doorway, he seemed to remember something and looked back at Percival. "The Vanguard Agency? It's history as of today!"

Without another word, Arthur left.

Percival watched Arthur's retreating figure, his eyes shadowed with thought.

After a moment, he looked up at the Vanguard Agency, then walked away.

Meanwhile, Vivienne had made her way to the Frostfire Intelligence Agency, insisting that Matthew focus on finding her father.

After Matthew briefed her on recent missions, Vivienne left. With Percival tied up in work, she suddenly realized she had nowhere in particular to go. Then it struck her - she hadn't taken the Thaddeus and Isolde out for fun in ages. With a free day ahead, she decided to treat the kids to a day out. Her place was just a stone's throw from the Hawthorns, so she headed over to pick up Thaddeus.

Vivienne arrived, only

up with surprise, quickly followed by a

Vivienne, too, had her plate full, and visits to the Hawthorns' had

tried inviting Vivienne over for a family dinner a few times, but she was

had been planning to visit Karen in the hospital and was taken aback to

"Come in, dear. You really should give us a heads-up next time so I can whip up something nice. We've got nothing in the kitchen

Cordelia had been busy helping out. With Thaddeus now in boarding

chance to shop for groceries. Thus,

"No need, Cordelia. I was thinking of taking Thaddeus out

since Vivienne reconciled with Karen, she had taken to calling Dorian and Cordelia by their first names - not out of distance, but for clarity's sake. It

we eat together. It's been too long since you've been

to eat a proper meal when she was busy. More importantly, she had heard that Karen did not know how to cook. Thus, Cordelia was worried that even if Karen were not unconscious right now, she probably would not be able to take good care of

I've been craving your homemade spaghetti!" Cordelia was quick to reply, "Then I'll head to the supermarket right now and get what we need for

etched on her face, Cordelia continued, "Look at you, you've lost weight! How's Percival been looking after you? He promised us he'd take good care

see him, I'll have to ask what on earth he's been

her temples, slightly overwhelmed by Cordelia's

I haven't lost weight, I've gained," Vivienne said earnestly, "Three

looked skeptical. "Impossible, you look

indeed, she was three pounds heavier, but Cordelia was still not satisfied. "Only

was at a

of Vivienne. His face lit up with joy as

the noise on the other end and the excellent soundproofing of the house, he hadn't