The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne nodded wearily.

At this point, she was running on fumes, her mind a blank slate with the sole desire to crash into bed and sleep for an eternity.

Percival wrapped an arm around her and guided her to the car, signaling to Thomas, "Let's hit the road."

Thomas glanced back at the house, noticing Leopold still inside, "Percival, what about Leopold...?"

He had been outside and was clueless about the happenings within.

Snuggled in Mr. Wolf's embrace, Vivienne closed her eyes and murmured, "No need to wait. He's probably over the moon with his lady love, lost in his own world by now."

Thomas was speechless.

Some say ignorance is bliss, and Leopold was living proof, blissfully unaware of his dumb luck.

With Vivienne and Finnian on their side, this plan was bound to succeed without the Sterling family lifting a finger.

Back at their place, Vivienne hurried through a shower, intending to hit the sack, but Percival had other plans. He dragged her to the dining table, "Hold up, eat something first. Your favorite strawberry cheesecake is waiting."

Barely keeping her eyes open, Vivienne's protest died on her lips.

She let Mr. Wolf lead her to the table.

In the end, she was spoon-fed by Mr. Wolf himself, too drained to even lift a spoon.

She slept till the wee hours, waking only to quench her thirst and sift through a work email from Matthew before plunging back into sleep.

The next morning, Vivienne returned from her run, refreshed and energetic.

Upon entering, she heard Mr. Wolf from the kitchen, "Vivienne, you've got a call."

She hummed in acknowledgment, having left her phone at home during her run.

Checking her phone, she called back, "Cordelia, what's up? Is Thaddeus feeling alright?"

tinged with embarrassment, "Vivienne, Thaddeus is fine now. I was actually calling to see if you're free lately.

"Medical issue?"

paused, "Who's the

unless it was someone close in need, but Dorian and Thaddeus

for

no refusal, Cordelia felt even more indebted,

countryside for years, out of touch. She must be desperate to reach out. The local clinic has given up

gratitude deepening, "I'm free anytime, Vivienne. I know you're

free today, can make it by 2

overjoyed, "Great, no rush. I'll be waiting at

Vivienne headed

whipping up her favorite dish, donned in

"Mr. Wolf, have I been neglecting you these past days? You've been handling everything on your own, even cooking daily." Percival

an eyebrow, "Didn't I

sideways, "Was it

three days. Are you planning to make up for the last thirty years

chose not to confess, "There are many ways to interpret words. Maybe you should reflect on whether your past actions led her to think that way." Caught off guard, Percival washed his hands, turned around, and

finding the

to escape,

leaned in for a kiss, leaving her dazed, whispering, "Aren't you going to wash up for

Vivienne was speechless.

picked up some

quick rinse, she saw Percival in the

dried her hair,

the phone down, naturally taking the towel to dry her hair, "I've got to report to the office today, can't accompany

nodded, "It's fine, I'll visit

Thaddeus to lay off Isolde." Vivienne laughed, "Mr. Wolf, ever heard

at

up together, would he regret his

his thoughts immediately and retorted, "Mr. Wolf, how can you be

shown his full potential yet, but she was certain he wouldn't just turn out to be

"You're so biased, my dear. Thaddeus is your brother, but doesn't Isolde feel like a sister