The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

"No way! Absolutely not!"

Paula was adamant about refusing to accept the current turn of events. "This is a big deal, Mom! It's

not right for you to make all the decisions on your own! We're part of the Brooks family too! We have a

right to voice our opinions!"

The thought of Vivienne bringing Dorian's family into the Brooks Mansion was unbearable. She would

rather be killed than have to endure such humiliation.

Baron had forbidden her from returning home, and each visit was a tightrope walk of fear and caution.

Now, she always had to avoid her father.

Why should outsiders be allowed to waltz right through the doors of the Brooks Mansion?

Judith gave her a stern look, and there was a hint of authority in her voice. "This house isn't yours to

rule. I'm old, but I can still make decisions on trivial matters like this."

Paula was livid. She almost collapsed onto the couch. "Mom! Have you lost your mind?! You're actually

siding with strangers! Do you want to watch as the Brooks name is stolen from us?! Is that what will

satisfy you?!"

She yelled hysterically, but no one took her seriously.

Timothy was a weak-willed man who always followed the orders of his parents. He didn't dare to speak

up now.

His wife, Cheryl wisely said, "Let's listen to Mom. Dad's health isn't good. We need her to take care of

things."

Kala and Carl agreed wholeheartedly. They basically raised both hands and feet in support.

"Very well." Judith nodded in approval while patting Vivienne, who was sitting next to her. "It seems we

all agree. Not just about this, but for the future as well. Vivienne is now family. Anyone who dares to

harm Vivienne will be harming me. I don't want to hear any complaints!" Her gaze swept across the

room. It was quite sharp and intimidating for an old woman.

Timothy quickly nodded in agreement. "We'll listen to Mom. Of course, we have no other ideas. We're

glad that Vivienne is back; we wouldn't dare harm her."

Judith's strong presence kept the situation under control. "Then this weekend, let's have Vivienne's

parents move in. We'll have a proper meal together as a family, as a way to welcome them."

Despite Paula's strong opposition, Dorian and his wife, Cordelia, smoothly moved into the Brooks

Mansion.

That evening, Judith personally ordered the staff to prepare a lavish dinner. She invited all the

members of the Brooks family to attend.

Aside from Baron, who was not feeling well, and Scott and Ronald, who were busy with work, everyone

else was present.

It was clear that Judith attached great importance to this gathering.

Ashley couldn't help but laugh as she looked at the grand arrangement. "Grandma really values our

cousin. Who else has received such special treatment? Even her parents are allowed to stay at the

Brooks Mansion. Who wouldn't be envious?"

Paula had been looking for someone to vent her frustration to. She had begged for half the day to

attend this dinner, and naturally, she wasn't pleased.

Why should she have to tread carefully around her own family while Vivienne and her parents could

stride confidently into the Brooks Mansion?

"Anyone would think that the Brooks family had fallen on hard times. Why were they letting any Tom,

Dick, or Harry in?!"

"Paula!" Judith's stern gaze silenced her instantly.

Melissa, too, hurriedly hushed her outspoken daughter.

As long as Baron and Judith were still around, they were the ones who called the shots. Anyone else

had to know their limits, even if they were unhappy about it.

Dorian and Cordelia, sitting in the middle, were clearly uncomfortable. Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

"We didn't mean to intrude. We just wanted to see Vivienne and clear up any misunderstandings. We

didn't expect to cause such a commotion."

Dorian glanced at the silent Vivienne, then said, "As long as Vivienne is doing well, it doesn't matter if

we're here or not. After all, she is a Brooks. Seeing her return to her roots makes us happy."

"Of course, you're happy!" Paula was outraged. "Vivienne has returned to the Brooks family and

assumed the role of the heiress. Now you can enjoy the benefits by clinging to her! Today, you move

into the Brooks Mansion. What's to keep you from claiming it as your own tomorrow?"

Paula was being very harsh, but Vivienne seemed unfazed. It was as if she were watching an

entertaining show.

"Paula, Vivienne is part of the Brooks family. Her adoptive parents have done a great deal for her, and

she wants to repay their kindness. Is there something wrong with that?" Kala, unsympathetic to Paula's

attitude, asked pointedly.

Paula glared at her, then stood up abruptly. "If she wants to repay them, fine! But why use the Brooks

family as a way to do it? Haven't we given her enough already? She's even brought strangers into our

home! Her reach is becoming far too long!"

"Enough!" Judith, who had been listening quietly, could no longer stand it. She slammed the table

forcefully as she yelled at her good-for-nothing daughter. "Do you think I'm not here?! Your gossip has

reached my ears!

Inviting Vivienne's parents to stay here was my decision. No one is allowed to object! If not for their

care and attention, would Vivienne have been able to return safely to the Brooks family?"

She turned her gaze towards Dorian and Cordelia, who were sitting next to her. Her tone changed. It

was now gracious and gentle. "Thanks to you two, Vivienne is back with the Brooks family. It's not just

Vivienne who's grateful; it’s the entire Brooks family. This 300 thousand may not seem like much, but

it's my token of appreciation. You must accept it."

The maid brought forward a check and placed it on the table.

Dorian and Cordelia looked taken aback and refused the money with a wave of their hands. "We didn't

do anything extraordinary. Vivienne is such a bright and sensible kid. We just enjoyed having her

around. We can't possibly accept this money."

300 thousand was no petty cash for them. Dorian was a regular salary worker, and this amount was a

fortune to him.

Vivienne lifted her gaze and let it slide over the couple before resettling on the side. "No need for

modesty."

Since her grandmother was trying to give Dorian and Cordelia money, Vivienne shamelessly

encouraged them to accept it.

Paula was fuming. She was ready to explode. "Why on earth should they get the money?! The Brooks

family has treated them with nothing but kindness. They should be grateful already! What do they think

they are? How could they accept money from the Brooks family?!"

For the rest of the Brooks family, 300 thousand was trivial.

They could spend millions on a whim without batting an eyelid. They wouldn't even spare a thought for

a mere 300 thousand.

This 300 thousand was a gesture from the family matriarch, and no one would be foolish enough to

challenge her decision.

"Sister, if this is what Mom wants, let's just go along with it." Melissa chimed in while glancing at the old

lady's expression.

Paula's face turned beet red. It was as if she wanted to overturn the entire table of food.

Dorian and Cordelia exchanged a look and then spoke up. "Well, if Judith insists, we won't turn down

her goodwill."

How shameless!

Paula huffed and plopped down onto her seat. She didn’t even bother to give them another glance.

Everyone had their own thoughts during dinner; only Vivienne seemed unperturbed. She was

seemingly indifferent to Paula's furious glares.