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.

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

glanced out the window

one hand, reached over and gently tapped her, "Still no

of Abigail remains unclear, but their ultimate

"The secret to

smiled slyly, "Is Mr. Wolf

was straightforward, "Not

Vivienne leaned in to

life. If we were to extend beyond a certain limit, or without any limit, it wouldn't be happiness that awaits

"You and I think alike, Mr. Wolf. What's the use in chasing after immortality? A person without purpose, even with eternal life, couldn't create any value."

the time they arrived home, it was dinner

had been waiting in the hall. The sight

they were

Ellington emerging from inside, greeting them

call them

nearly uncontrollable, "Ah, Vivienne's

been through a lot these past days,

them, "Let's not let the dishes get cold.

slightly out of place, thinking to himself that

with 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

thing missing was a place for

sighed, tapping Cecilia on the shoulder,

don't bother me... Here, Vivienne, have this soup. It's great for

himself at a loss, "Mom, Vivienne is

gestured towards Nathan's seat, "You

an exasperated look at her 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 on the second floor. The tranquility was briefly interrupted by

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

playful wink,