The Million-Dollar Heart

The next day dawned bright and early, with both Vivienne and Percival rising with the sun. Downstairs in the grand foyer, Richard was instructing the butler to prepare some gifts.

Percival, curious, approached and asked what was going on. Richard, with an air of understanding, explained, "At the wedding, the Brooks family played a crucial role in saving Isolde's life. Your parents are planning to visit them today to check on the boy who got injured. It's only polite to bring something along when visiting someone who's unwell."

Cecilia shared the sentiment.

"The Brooks' boy is just as precious as any child. In all that chaos, he stepped up to save Isolde and even got hurt in the process. Even if his parents don't voice it, they must feel worried. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their son's bravery in protecting Isolde. It's a kindness we'll remember for a lifetime."

Vivienne nodded in agreement, "Let's all go together then."

It just so happened that she and Mr. Wolf had plans in the same direction as the hospital.

After grabbing a quick breakfast with Percival, who also helped carry some of the gifts, they were ready to leave when Isolde, dressed to the nines, bounced down the stairs.

Seeing Percival pause, Isolde, thinking he was admiring her dress, asked cheerfully, "Bro, do you like my dress?"

Percival pinched the bridge of his nose, blocking her path, "The folks are visiting; you should stay home."

Isolde wasn't pleased, running to Cecilia to complain, "Mom, look at Percival, he's always picking on me. Yesterday he wouldn't let me talk to Vivienne, and now he's stopping me from going out. What have I done to him?"

Cecilia shot Percival a stern look, "Why are you stopping Isolde? Thaddeus saved her; she should personally thank him."

daughter to head out, not

for Isolde to

could only

livened up the small hospital room. Cecilia's heartfelt thanks made Dorian uneasy, "It was the least we could do; no

added with a warm smile, "Honestly, Thaddeus and Isolde have met a few times before; they're acquaintances. It's only natural to help out a friend

eyes lit up, "Now that you mention it, those two

"Mom, Vivienne and I have to run; you and

room, the conversation now veering towards

inquired about Cecilia's

you've been a bit on edge lately, wondering if it's due to some... discord between us. She suggested I brew you some herbal remedies." Percival was speechless. Was this really something his mother

found an outlet for his frustration, "Leopold, if you're looking for a way to quit, just say Leopold sounded miserable, "Percival, it's not like that. I'm...

that an excuse not

for Vivienne,

over Griffin's supposed engagement to someone else and his own impending doom at the hands of his

and Percival decided to visit the Sterling family to get to the bottom of things, suspecting the issue lay with

met with the unmistakable sound of

ungrateful kid, what makes you think you're too good for Miss Martinez? And now look at you, she doesn't

was darting around desperately, "Dad, please, stop hitting me. If you keep this up, you