The Million-Dollar Heart

Before Leopold could finish his thought, Vivienne shot him a look that could only be described as seeing an utter fool, prompting him to fall silent.

He coughed awkwardly, "Vivienne, you've got it all wrong. I was just worried about Richard. He's always been the picture of health; his sudden illness might be hiding something, don't you think?" Vivienne didn't argue this time.

Mr. Wolf's voice over the phone didn't carry any urgency, so it likely wasn't anything serious.

The Ellington Estate.

As Vivienne stepped out of the car, she insisted Leopold head back, choosing to enter the mansion alone.

In the grand foyer, Flynn Ellington and Cecilia were dressed to the nines, seemingly having rushed back from an event.

Upon seeing Vivienne, they hurried over, Flynn taking her hands, "Vivienne, you're here."

Vivienne nodded, greeting Flynn and Cecilia, "Dad, Mom, how's Grandpa doing?"

Cecilia was still in a daze, having just finished a gala out of town when they received a call about the patriarch's conflict that nearly led to him fainting on the spot. They had rushed back immediately. Flynn approached, "Percival managed to get him to take his medicine; he should be fine now."

Hearing this, Vivienne replied, "I'll go see him."

Inside Richard's room, Percival was sitting, enduring Richard's constant groans and sighs without a word of truth.

It seemed elders could be as stubborn as children, something Vivienne hadn't expected to witness with her own grandfather. He clearly had something on his mind but refused to speak up. Percival checked the time; he'd been there for an hour since leaving his company, wondering where Vivienne was.

"Mr. Wolf."

Just as he was pondering, Vivienne appeared behind him, prompting a smile from Percival as he stood to greet her, "Vivienne."

Richard's complaints paused at the sound of Vivienne's voice, his ears perking up. After a while, feeling ignored, he let out a loud, "Ouch!"

Vivienne struggled to hold back a laugh at the robust complaint.

stay quiet,

bed, Vivienne feigned concern, "Grandpa, where does it hurt? Let me

opened his eyes, his voice suddenly weak, "Vivienne, dear, I'm alright. Just the frailty of old age, a small illness feels like it

who was at

subtly probed, "Grandpa, extend your hand. Maybe I can see

the underlying

pride kept him from voicing

seeing through him, exchanged a glance

Vivienne spoke calmly, "Grandpa, we're family.

couldn't discuss in front of

expression darkened,

health before subtly asking, "Grandpa, who

about their great-grandchildren. When I called them out, they dared to mock the Ellington family for only having one branch left. I gave them a piece of my

over a bit of

you in a hurry to see

was startled by her question, shaking his head frantically, "Vivienne, dear, I didn't mean... You've just married, take

Vivienne didn't press further.

prefer a boy or a

looking at Vivienne's calm demeanor as if trying to confirm he hadn't misheard, "Vivienne, did I just hear something

felt his blood pressure spike even

He couldn't have misheard.

to have his wish seemingly granted

deny it, "This is something Mr. Wolf and I aren't planning to announce just yet. We hope you can keep it

"Of

he assured them there was