The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne stepped out of the backyard, the voice of someone's frustration still echoing behind her.

"That little rascal, does she want to be the death of me? My treasures, meant to be passed down through generations, and she lets those rascals eye them..."

In the living room, Jasper and Percival had just finished a game of chess.

Looking at the narrowly won game on the board, Jasper nodded with a smile, "Not bad at all. You play much better than your grandfather ever did. He always tried to bend the rules, as if he could conjure up every trick in the book."

Percival withdrew his hand, smiling in response, "Grandpa, your skills are unmatched. Not just Granddad, I'm nowhere close either."

Jasper beamed even wider, "You flatter me, boy. If your granddad heard this, he'd accuse you of forgetting your roots."

Vivienne approached just as Jasper stood up, her face beaming with mischief, making him curious about her good fortune.

Before he could ask, Finnian's roar tore through the quiet of the backyard.

"Ah, my decades-old treasures!"

"That little menace, don't you dare run!"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, pulling Percival towards the exit, "Grandpa, we'll be heading out."

Percival simply chuckled, without asking further.

Jasper, understanding the situation, waved them off and headed towards the commotion in the backyard, intercepting an irate Finnian.

He sighed, "Look at yourself, making such a fuss at your age. You'll become the laughing stock among the kids..."

Finnian, red-faced with anger, pointed at Jasper, "Wouldn't you be upset if your decades-old collections were stolen?"

Jasper retorted with undisguised pride, "Depends on who takes them. If Vivienne wants them, not just one, I'd gladly give her a whole warehouse!"

Finnian took a deep breath, "Generous, you are. But it's my treasures she took..."

Jasper scoffed, "Considering our ties, you her mentor and her growing up by your side, not to mention you've never married, all your possessions would end up hers anyway. What's the rush?" Finnian was speechless.

Elsewhere.

to the Ellington estate, Vivienne fiddled with a dark agarwood bracelet she had snatched from Finnian, pondering

out the window

reached over and gently tapped her,

eyes flickered, "The true identity of Abigail remains unclear, but their ultimate goal isn't too hard

blurted out, "The secret

smiled slyly, "Is Mr.

was straightforward, "Not

Vivienne leaned in

enough to experience the vicissitudes of life. If we were to extend beyond a certain limit, or without

in chasing

they arrived home, it

the hall. The sight of their car lights made him almost

the house, they were

saw Cecilia and Nathan Ellington emerging from inside, greeting them in turn, "Grandpa,

call

uncontrollable, "Ah, Vivienne's back. Come in, see what

"Vivienne's been through a lot these past days, she needs

the dishes get cold. We'll have the butler bring

of place, thinking to himself that he had merely gotten married, not adopted into

the dinner table, Richard took the head seat, with Vivienne to his side, flanked by Cecilia, and Nathan across from her, next to Isolde, who

missing was

Cecilia on the shoulder,

shrugged impatiently, "What now? Eat your food and don't bother me... Here, Vivienne,

loss, "Mom, Vivienne is my

gestured towards Nathan's seat, "You sit next to

over seating arrangements, Cecilia moved to sit opposite, muttering about

The evening proceeded with

the wedding ceremony, but Vivienne felt it unnecessary. Agreeing with her decision, the family settled into their routine, leaving Percival and Vivienne to spend their first

sight

a playful wink, Vivienne