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.

a dark agarwood bracelet she had snatched from Finnian, pondering

glanced out

steering with one hand, reached over and gently

true identity of Abigail remains unclear, but

blurted out, "The secret to

slyly, "Is

was straightforward, "Not

in

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

Mr. Wolf. What's the use in chasing

they arrived home, it was dinner time,

Ellington had been waiting in the hall. The sight of their car lights

the house, they were greeted

from inside, greeting them

call them

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

in agreement, "Vivienne's been through a

ushered them, "Let's not let the dishes get cold. We'll have

to himself that he had merely gotten married, not

Vivienne to his side, flanked by Cecilia, and Nathan across from her, next to Isolde, who had just scampered down the stairs calling out "Vivienne." The family seemed

was a

Cecilia on

bother me... Here, Vivienne, have this soup. It's great for

found himself at a loss, "Mom, Vivienne is my

him, and seizing the opportunity, Percival gestured towards Nathan's seat, "You sit next to Dad. Vivienne's side is

son, who was even jealous over seating arrangements, Cecilia moved to sit opposite,

The evening proceeded with

felt it unnecessary. Agreeing with her decision, the family settled into their routine, leaving Percival and Vivienne to spend their first night back at the Ellington estate in a room meticulously prepared

her head, she caught sight of Isolde peeking through the barely

wink,