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.

only Cordelia was

quickly followed by a warm smile. "Vivienne! What a

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

over for a family dinner a few times, but she was

planning to visit Karen in the hospital and was taken aback to see Vivienne turn up

welcomed Vivienne in. "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 right now. Tell you what, I'll call your dad and have him come

also Cordelia had been busy helping out. With

Cordelia hadn't yet had the chance to shop for groceries. Thus, there was literally

Cordelia. I was thinking of taking Thaddeus out for a bit of fun

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

have fun any day. Today, we eat together. It's been

Cordelia, Vivienne was as dear as a biological daughter, and she longed to treat her to a good meal, knowing how busy she was. After all, she knew that Vivienne rarely had time to eat a proper meal when she

and suggested, "How about I take Thaddeus out now, and we have a home-cooked meal this afternoon? Cordelia, 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

at you, you've lost weight! How's Percival

"Next time I see him, I'll have to ask what on earth

her temples, slightly overwhelmed

I've gained," Vivienne said

you look thinner to

Cordelia was still not satisfied. "Only three pounds?

was at a loss for

sight of Vivienne. His face

been on the phone with Isolde, and due to the noise on the other end and the