The Million-Dollar Heart

Victoria's tension finally eased as she rose to her feet, moving even quicker than Isolde. "You're back at last. I've been needing to talk to you."

"Vivienne, come and play with me!" Isolde then bounded over, embracing Vivienne's legs with a childlike whine.

Percival, who had entered with them, was completely overlooked until Cecilia, who had been busy organizing dinner, acknowledged him, "What are all of you loitering around for? Percival, your wife has been on her feet all day. How can you just let her stand there chatting with Victoria without offering her a seat?"

"Vivienne, come over and sit down."

Percival thought to himself: That greeting could hardly be called welcoming.

"Mom, we've got matters to discuss. We'll be upstairs for a bit."

Vivienne, accustomed to such scenarios, exchanged pleasantries with Cecilia before bending down to explain to Isolde, "I'll play with you later, Isolde. I've got some things to take care of first."

Vivienne, Percival, and Victoria then headed to Percival's study in the Ellington Mansion.

Unlike the old-fashioned study brimming with ancient books, Percival's study was almost eerily spacious, yet boasted the best soundproofing in the entire villa.

What was discussed there remained a mystery.

All that was known was that upon returning from the Ellington household, Victoria burst into Harrison's lab. "Vivienne has agreed to a three-day postponement of the trial. If you've got any plans, now's the time to act. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Just three days?

Harrison, peering through his microscope, frowned slightly. "I was hoping you could've gotten us a week."

His voice, tinged with sarcasm and disappointment, sparked Victoria's temper like a match to dynamite.

voice rose sharply, "Be thankful for the three days I got you! A week? Why didn't you negotiate with Vivienne yourself?! It took a tantrum and guilt-tripping her to get this extension. You're ungrateful! Next time, do it yourself. I

"There won't be a next time. This

trample over Percival, as if Gavin was someone you could easily please. You think this is child's play, where everything goes

suspicion. "You seem... quite admiring of Percival. What? After two days at the Ellington estate, you're

remained unfazed. "What does it matter to you? I simply believe the Ellingtons outshine the

his work. "Whatever you

end of his sentence, an inexplicable

unconsciously moving closer to Seaton. "Spare me

from the dropper mixed with the colorful liquid, bubbles began

this is all over,

instantly denied. "I never said I'd tell you

fire seemed to rage within

frustration palpable even though she knew he

sought. Harrison's smug,

fueled her anger.

You're playing with fire!

"Harrison, you'd better not

threatening parting shot,

figure had disappeared that Harrison ceased his work, his gaze lingering in the direction she

fondness for Victoria's impassioned, albeit powerless,

on the all-male laboratory

Harrison's smile, they shuddered, half-expecting to find

man Gavin had sent

to the

didn't hide

openly flaunting his devotion.

My

before you came