The Million-Dollar Heart

On the way back, Percival got a call from Leopold, saying there was a bit of a bother at the estate in the suburbs and asked him to come over.

Vivienne was behind the wheel since Percival had indulged in some wine over lunch.

She asked for directions, planning to drop him off before heading back to the Linklater estate.

Percival didn't agree; the suburbs were quite a trek from where they were, and more importantly, he had left the renovation of the place as a surprise for her. Seeing it in advance would spoil everything. In the end, Percival had Leopold come to pick him up.

Leopold showed up looking like he had battled with insomnia, dark circles and all.

He headed straight for the driver's side door, "Percival, you did this on purpose, don't think a mere record... Oh, Vivienne!"

Vivienne watched him calmly.

Leopold swallowed hard, his previously menacing demeanor deflated instantly, "Vivienne, what are you doing here? I thought it was..."

Percival, lounging in the passenger seat, squinting over, said, "And what if it was me? Planning on a quick murder?"

Leopold, "..."

Even if he harbored the thought, he lacked the guts, especially with Vivienne there. If he dared to lift a finger, Vivienne would have him turned to ash in seconds.

Leopold, with a forced chuckle, "Me? Never dare."

Vivienne, with a smirk, "Leopold, pull yourself together!"

Leopold felt a chill run down his spine.

Did Vivienne know something?

Why else would this couple speak in such a unified tone?

After dropping off Percival, Vivienne turned the car around, heading back to the Linklater estate.

As soon as Vivienne left, Leopold's demeanor changed, tossing the car keys to Percival, "You drive, I need a nap."

Percival gave him a look, "If I could drive, you wouldn't be here, would you?"

Leopold froze, "Since when are you unable to drive?"

Percival, "..."

good deed goes

Meanwhile.

meters from the Linklater estate, there was a commotion at the intersection,

to detour, but was stopped by

been so long, and no parent has shown up

who knows if he'll

so much blood on the ground, he's fallen so badly, and the kid's still clutching a

might be unclear,

and water lilies were essentially the same, hard to distinguish from afar for the

holding

thought

through the crowd, the child lying in a pool of blood, clutching a twin lotus, was

stepped forward, lifting Winston in her arms, feeding him a pill

you know you can't just move someone after an accident, and what's

doctor, what's with the act? Instead of

talking about, are you

him go, or we're calling the

Vivienne's actions, with some even

"Back off!"

expression turned ice-cold, her demeanor

trying to save face, "You, you're harming a life, hurting

retort left the man

with the onlookers who

Winston's injuries were more

to the hospital; otherwise, the outcome could be dire... Thinking this, Vivienne swiftly called Sasha, asking her to

there herself seemed quicker than waiting for

the Wright

in to find Colin, as usual, pouring his herbal medicine into a

"Bro, you've been well for so long, why won't you let

flatly, "It's not

her, "You needed to

outside casually, "Bro, have

approached, his tone casual,

vanished during his nap, and they couldn't find him