The Million-Dollar Heart

Arthur found himself in a rather awkward spot thanks to Vivienne's sharp tongue. The snickers from the bystanders didn't escape his notice, but a swift glance from him was enough to silence them.

He sighed internally as he looked back at Vivienne, "You remind me of someone I used to know. I asked for a picture of your mother because I needed to confirm if she was the person I'm thinking of." Under normal circumstances, Vivienne's tone would have irked him. But the striking resemblance she bore to someone he dearly missed melted away any prejudice he might have harbored against her. It was unlike him to explain himself, yet here he was, patiently doing just that with Vivienne. He didn't have the time to dig around for clues. Returning to Rivenwood and coming up empty-handed was frustrating enough. It was easier to just ask Vivienne directly.

Both Vivienne and Percival were taken aback by his request. Vivienne scrutinized Arthur, but there was no hint of him in her features, which were a mirror image of her mother, Karen's best traits. No matter how hard she looked, she couldn't see the resemblance Arthur spoke of.

Vivienne frowned slightly, then said, "My mom wasn't fond of taking pictures... we don't have any."

Before she could finish, Arthur interjected eagerly, "Where is she? Can I meet her?"

"In my lab," Vivienne replied, though she had no intention of answering at first. Yet, for some reason, she found herself divulging the information, convinced she had lost her mind.

"I'll go right now," Arthur said, turning to leave.

Vivienne suddenly called out, "You can't take Harrison and Gavin with you!"

She didn't expect Arthur to agree, but to her surprise, he waved off the concern with a grand gesture, "Fine, fine, they're yours!"

Arthur's entourage was left bewildered. So, what was this all about? A wasted journey?

Arthur then left with his people, leaving Vivienne and the rest with puzzled expressions. Was that it? No dramatic showdown?

Vivienne, his expression serious, "Vivienne, what do you think Arthur,

or tails of Arthur's intentions. From his initial actions, it seemed like he was there to claim Harrison and Gavin. Given Arthur's reputation, he wouldn't easily back down, regardless of who

throughout his conversation with Vivienne, Arthur's focus was solely on confirming if Vivienne knew Winnie and asking for a picture of her mother. Harrison and Gavin weren't even mentioned. And then he simply

was pensive, her long lashes casting

hand, his voice soft, "I'll verify it. If it's true, you don't have to

could see right through her. She smiled,

an inkling. Her face bore a striking ninety percent resemblance to Karen's. Others had recognized her as Karen's daughter through her appearance, but no one had ever mentioned

as soon as he asked for a picture of her mother,

to use her mother as leverage against her. No one would ask for her mother's

her father, she couldn't say until a

if the test confirmed

relation, she wouldn't acknowledge

her mother's sake, and partly for her wedding with Mr. Wolf, which had to proceed as her mother wished-with he biological father present. But she had hoped for a father she could look forward to

up for twenty years of absence, than have Arthur

was the War

wouldn't have had to fight alone for so many years, and she wouldn't have been confined

Because...

She couldn't forgive him.

saw the sparkle in Vivienne's smile but felt a pang in his heart. Her smile was dazzling, yet he sensed a hint of resentment. He touched her head gently, his

Vivienne nodded.