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, "..."

no good

Meanwhile.

from the Linklater estate, there was a commotion at the

but was stopped by voices

so long, and no parent has shown up

little kid, who knows

blood on the ground, he's fallen so badly, and the kid's still clutching a lotus flower, probably lost by his folks." Vivienne frowned,

might be

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

child holding a

Vivienne thought

lying in a pool of blood, clutching a twin lotus,

her arms, feeding him a pill before

just move someone after an

doctor, what's with the act? Instead of rushing to a hospital, you're

about, are you even human

or we're

crowd grew increasingly accusatory towards Vivienne's actions, with some even attempting to push

"Back off!"

expression turned ice-cold,

aback by Vivienne's aura, caught off guard but trying to save face, "You, you're harming a life,

left the man

bother with the onlookers who were all talk,

Winston's injuries

the hospital; otherwise,

herself seemed quicker than waiting for an

the

find Colin, as usual, pouring his herbal medicine into

you've been well for so

"It's not time

"You needed to see

gestured outside casually, "Bro, have you seen

tone casual,

shrugged, "The person responsible for him came to meet said Winston vanished during his nap, and they couldn't find him even