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.

arrived, only Cordelia

seeing Vivienne, Cordelia's face lit up with surprise, quickly

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

a family dinner a few

in the hospital and was taken aback to

smile, Cordelia 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.

also Cordelia had been busy helping out. With Thaddeus now in boarding school during the week, the house was quiet

had the chance to shop for groceries. Thus, there was literally nothing in

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

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

together. It's been too long since

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 was busy. More importantly, she had heard that Karen did not

Thaddeus out now, and we have a home-cooked meal this afternoon? Cordelia, I've been craving your homemade spaghetti!" Cordelia was

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

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

her temples, slightly overwhelmed by

I've gained," Vivienne said earnestly,

"Impossible, you look thinner

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

was at a

stopped in his tracks at the sight of Vivienne. His face lit up with joy as he exclaimed, "Sis! I've

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