The Million-Dollar Heart

They stepped out of the study, and the living room on both floors was devoid of Vivienne and her entourage.

As they left, they weren't even graced with a goodbye from the butler.

Not a single servant was there to see them off, and the pair left the house with stone-cold expressions on their faces.

As they reached the yard, they were confronted by a man whose presence was as imposing as Thor himself, an aura of intimidation that made others shrink in fear.

Victoria's eyes widened at the sight of him. Before Harrison could notice her recognition, she quickly feigned confusion and even turned to ask Harrison, "Who is that guy? He's so full of himself. Haven't I seen him on TV or something?"

Arthur was approaching from the distance. His image sharpened in Harrison's eyes, who suddenly murmured in shock, "War God?"

A figure idolized by the younger generation in Veridia.

Harrison, in his youth, had fantasized about the glory of the battlefield, and thus remembered Arthur's name and face with striking clarity. He had even taken pride in having laid eyes on the War God himself. But those days of youthful folly had faded as he matured into adulthood.

Yet, what was the War God doing at the Ellington estate? Did he know Richard?!

"War God?!" Victoria exclaimed in feigned surprise.

Her shrill voice caused Arthur, who was briskly passing by, to halt and focus his gaze on the duo.

His piercing stare softened when it landed on Victoria and then shifted back to Harrison. "Is Percival around?"

There was a momentary hitch in Harrison's breath. "War God, you're here to see Percival?"

a brief pause, he said, "Mr. Ellington is indeed here, but he might not

he's babbling about?! Victoria was about to open her mouth to defend Percival when Harrison cast her a chilling glance, "Ms. Hawthorn is

God should step

to put his own concerns aside, now

at Arthur before explaining, "Ms. Hawthorn stubbornly believes I'm guilty, swayed by slander.

out of respect for Richard, to persuade her to drop the lawsuit, not to be misled by deceit. But she wouldn't listen and even

Victoria remained silent.

did Harrison have up his sleeve that she was

smile, not taking up the

with Vivienne and couldn't afford

look, she raised her voice, feigning anger, "Enough! The trial is the day after tomorrow, and we need to get back to prepare our case! That Vivienne, the traitor! My mother is Percival's aunt, and if Vivienne won't

her actions had just added another mark against Vivienne in Arthur's mental ledger: disrespectful, domineering,

cursed for doting so excessively on such a woman,

his eyes glinting with calculation. "Perhaps, War God, you might try

Percival?! His goal was to tarnish Percival's image in

At an upscale café.

over the chair. "I heard the War

at the coffee and replied in a calm voice, "It's not convenient to discuss matters at home. I asked you before about Winnie. Has your fiancée

Winnie again?

flickered in Percival's

War God was a paragon of virtue, shunning the company of women, yet here he was, persistently bringing up Winnie and intent on finding her. "Vivienne has never heard

probed nonchalantly, "May I ask, what is Miss Winnie to the War God? Perhaps I could inquire further with

"I've