The Million-Dollar Heart

Sasha knew Vivienne was heading to the Brooks' for a visit and instructed her assistant to fetch some gifts they had received from the Perez family, for Vivienne to take along. Percival casually took them from her hands.

Glancing at the clock, Vivienne said to Sasha, "Mom, we'll talk about that matter when I get back."

Sasha nodded in agreement. Some conversations needed more than just a few minutes, and now wasn't the right time.

Leaving the Linklater residence, Vivienne sat in the passenger seat, only then realizing Percival was driving instead of Leopold. "Where's Leopold? Why isn't he with you?"

Percival merged onto the road, replying casually, "He's been tied up lately."

"Tied up?"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow in surprise, as if she had just confirmed something, "Weren't you two together this morning?"

She remembered hearing Leopold's voice in the background when she had called Percival earlier that day.

With a smooth turn of the steering wheel and a glance towards Vivienne, Percival chuckled, "You've got sharp ears, Mrs. Wolf."

He continued, "He kind of let your martial arts brothers trash my properties. Making him do some hard labor doesn't seem unfair, does it?"

A smile played on Vivienne's lips, "Not unfair at all. He could use the workout."

"He volunteered. I didn't force him," Percival added.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, "Mr. Wolf, did you catch him in a compromising situation?"

"To him, it might as well be the end of the world. Enough to make him listen to me for a good while, or at least not dare to defy me," Percival revealed. Vivienne tilted her head, her eyes narrowing with intrigue, "You didn't capture some scandalous photos of him, did you?"

Percival gave her an affectionate smile, "Do I seem that tasteless to you?"

Vivienne pursed her lips, noncommittal.

Unable to bear her sudden silence, Percival confessed, "Stop worrying. It's a recording of a confession!"

Vivienne's smile broadened in understanding, "He finally got a clue."

Percival's smile widened, "I'll send it to you later. Griffin Martinez will owe you one."

Vivienne laughed lazily, "Aren't you afraid Leopold will come after you?"

"He wouldn't dare!"

"Exactly!"

their laughter, they arrived at the Brooks' residence. It was a Saturday, and several young boys were playing basketball outside. Noticing newcomers, one of the boys, clutching the ball, asked a man nearby, "Thaddeus Hawthorn,

with her keen hearing, turned and spotted

She waved at him.

said goodbye to his

obediently next to Vivienne, he glanced at Percival and shyly

made Percival grin, patting the boy's head, "Say

Thaddeus beamed with joy.

great!" Percival handed him the latest

"Wow, the new Bumblebee helmet! It's voice-controlled and transforms just like a

it for his birthday,

"Thank you, you're the

over

Percival's the best, and where do

second best!" Thaddeus' sweet talk made Vivienne's smile

that sweet mouth, you're

cocked his head, "Sis, girlfriends don't need

Vivienne was speechless.

into laughter, "You've got a girlfriend

another little girl's heart was about to

as my girlfriend, but she said the candy I gave her was like an engagement gift, and that she'd marry me when we grow up. But I don't want to get married; want to be

deeply, "Scientists are busy

Percival exchanged

days are so

seven, already

have time for a girlfriend if he became

asked, "Which little lady is

marrying me when we're older, and I don't know what

Percival was stunned.

This kid!

charm his

His face darkened instantly.

could now empathize with

else run off with

teeth, Percival glared at Thaddeus, "Don't worry,