The Million-Dollar Heart

Percival Ellington stared at his phone for a moment before slipping it back into his pocket, his brow furrowed in confusion.

What now?

Just as he was about to stop Vivienne Hawthorn from pouring another glass of whiskey, a commotion erupted at the front door. "Our boss says Arthur Linklater and dogs are not welcome here!" announced the doorman, who doubled as a security guard. Arthur's indomitable voice followed, "Think you can stop me with that scrawny frame?"

The security guard hesitated, "... I can't stop you, but that doesn't mean I'll let you in!"

Arthur snorted and made his way inside. The other guards quickly formed a circle around Arthur, attempting to block his entry.

Arthur signaled to Shane and Dante behind him. Understanding the cue, they stepped forward; each grabbed a couple of guards in a friendly manner, "Fellas, let's go have a chat about life. No need to make this hard on yourselves."

With only four guards at the door, they found themselves unable to break free from Shane and Dante's grip, exchanging bewildered looks.

How is this happening?

They were accomplished in martial arts, yet they couldn't move an inch in these two's hold?

While they were still in shock, Shane and Dante dragged them aside.

The guards could only watch as Arthur entered the Perez Manor, with one shouting in vain, "Hey! You can't go in there!"

Before he could finish, Shane lit a cigarette and casually placed it in the guard's mouth.

Arthur, as if he owned the place, made his way into the Perez family's gathering. Noticing they were still drinking, he nonchalantly sat down, dropping his backpack under the chair, and announced, "Hey, Dad, you're eating? Good, I haven't had dinner yet."

Jasper's face turned as dark as thunder, "How thick is your skin?"

Arthur grabbed a chicken leg, took a bite, and replied, "Thick as a castle wall!"

Jasper was speechless.

at the door? It clearly states, 'Arthur and dogs not allowed!"" The banner was Maddox's doing right before dinner, anticipating Arthur's shameless return to the Perez Manor. He

acted as if he

several unopened beer bottles in front of her, Arthur casually grabbed one, popped it open, and downed half in one go, laughing heartily, "Ah, that's refreshing! It's been ages since I had

"Hey!

turned to Maddox, "The banner? Oh, I

why the hell did you still come in? Where's your

why should I care about what's written on that

"Have you lost

out a red document from his backpack and handed it to Maddox, "I've changed my name. Call me 'Arthur South' from now

popping out of his head

indicating

Maddox was speechless.

affair, especially for someone of Arthur's stature, known as

up, addressing Jasper with a respectful bow, "Dad, when I, Arthur, give my word, it'szas solid as iron. If Karen if she wants anything from me

War God, yet he

to the Perez

was at a

Arthur. But Arthur was

could he possibly do

Vivienne, who had emptied ten bottles of beer, her face flushed and her body

full of mischief and a sly smile playing

forth between it

and the dining room, once filled with

"Bang!"

the table, standing up with a

Vivienne slapped the table again, her voice harsh,

at the

the first to snap out of it, leaning to Percival and whispering, "What's with Vivienne? She seems... off?" Percival was just