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.

few hundred meters from the Linklater estate, there was

attempted to detour, but was stopped by voices

it's been so long, and no parent has shown up

a little kid, who knows if he'll

the kid's still clutching a lotus flower, probably lost by his folks."

be

were essentially the same, hard to distinguish from afar for

child holding a

thought

the crowd, the child lying in a pool of blood, clutching

forward, lifting Winston in her arms, feeding him a pill before taking out her emergency acupuncture

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

act? Instead

we're talking about, are

or we're calling

increasingly accusatory towards Vivienne's actions, with some even attempting

"Back off!"

ice-cold, her demeanor

Vivienne's aura, caught off guard but trying to save face, "You,

retort left the man

with the onlookers

realized Winston's injuries were

heart meridian, buying him the best window to get to the hospital; otherwise, the outcome could be dire... Thinking this, Vivienne swiftly called Sasha, asking her to

quicker than waiting for an

at the

as usual,

been well for so

"It's

turning to her, "You needed

gestured outside casually, "Bro, have you seen

his tone casual, "No, why do

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