The Million-Dollar Heart

Percival stepped out of the office, the tension in his eyes replaced with an unmistakable gleam of joy.

Seeing Mr. Wolf in high spirits, Vivienne couldn't help but smile too.

Finally, no more dreadful doctor's visits.

Arriving home, Percival noticed an elegantly wrapped box outside. He first thought it was a delivery from Cecilia, but on closer inspection, it didn't seem like her style. Vivienne remembered what Leopold had mentioned on the phone right before Mr. Wolf opened it, "It's from Leopold."

Without giving it much thought, Percival brought the box inside, and neither of them dwelled on it much further.

The next morning, as Vivienne remembered they were to attend an engagement party, she opened Leopold's box and grimaced sharply.

Classic Leopold.

Expecting her to wear this dress in public was practically an invitation for everyone to burst into laughter.

By then, Percival was already dressed to the nines in a sleek black suit, looking exceptionally dashing. Noticing Vivienne frozen in place, he followed her gaze.

To his surprise, it was a bright red dress with a distinctively vintage Western flair!

It wasn't that it was ugly, but rather spectacularly so.

He glanced at Vivienne, his brows knitting together, "Leopold's doing?"

Vivienne just nodded, at a loss for words.

Who else but Leopold could have such an enigmatic taste in fashion?

Percival pulled out his phone, "I'll have Thomas bring over a different one."

"No need."

Vivienne grabbed a pair of scissors and took the dress to the bedroom.

She emerged a short while later, having transformed the dress. She had removed its excessive decorations, shortened its length to just above the knees, and altered it to sleeveless. The only traditional element she kept was its high neckline, but even that she had simplified.

With Vivienne's model-like figure, the red dress now looked absolutely stunning on her.

Percival was momentarily speechless.

to radiate an indescribable

the look of amazement in Mr. Wolf's eyes-and a hint of restrained desire-Vivienne approached him, her hand trailing from his suit

his arms around her lower back to steady her,

chance to react, Percival leaned in for a kiss, to which Vivienne responded with equal

made it difficult

lifted his head, trying to catch his breath, while Vivienne looked back at him, her eyes hazy

Mr. Wolf who was struggling to hold

condition, the doctor had advised waiting

in Rivenwood had been entirely booked for

and the Sterling families were uniting in marriage, drawing the elite

the hour, Leopold, greeted them at the

over to open

nodded. If it weren't for Leopold's big

the car, chuckling, "Congratulations on your

a bit, "All

sparkled, "Vivienne, I told you my taste was impeccable. Griffin doubted me, but I'll have to show her later." Vivienne just rolled

today, she would let it go for Griffin's

the hall,

immediately surrounded by several

catch up. especially since they had missed the couple's wedding. Percival deftly handled the crowd, allowing Vivienne to look for

hard to

one of the stars of the show, her mentor was

bright red suit that contrasted with his white hair, made for a striking

help but blink in surprise.

something about the

she could put her finger on it, she overheard Old-FDawson teasing, "No offense, Master, but you kinda look like Cupid decided to go traditional

erupted in a mix of choked laughter and coughing, everyone carefully avoiding Finnian's gaze

already self-conscious about the outfit's

it not been for the special gift that came with the suit, he wouldn't have been caught dead

looking for

exactly do you see the resemblance?" Finnian retorted, barely holding back his

silent, nobody daring to answer. Sometimes, it was wiser to agree with the master, especially when he was on the brink