The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Vivienne observed the excitement grow on their faces, causing a subtle stir of emotion within her.

"Vivienne, how about a few rounds?" Fergus suggested after some small talk.

"No thanks." Vivienne declined. "I'm just here to observe today."

Fergus was slightly disappointed but understood. Vivienne had been missing for a few years, so she

must have had a lot on her plate. Her presence here was more than enough.

"Vivienne, when can we start training?" Aaron asked impatiently.

Vivienne paused for a moment before responding, "No rush. I have to set up a training schedule first."

"Alright!"

They chatted for a while before Vivienne's phone suddenly rang. After seeing Matthew's name on the

caller ID, she answered the phone.

"Vivienne, Thaddeus is back." Matthew informed her.

"Okay, got it."

After hanging up, Vivienne informed Aaron and the others that she had some stuff to take care of. "I

have to go. I'll be back once I set up the training schedule."

"So soon?" Aaron, who had finally managed to get her to come, was reluctant to see her leave.

Vivienne nodded. "Yes, I have something to take care of."

"Vivienne, if you have things to do, go ahead. We'll wait for you." The others chimed in.

"Okay."

After leaving, Vivienne headed straight back to the Brooks Mansion.

As soon as she stepped into her room, she saw Thaddeus. The boy had been through a lot. In just a

few months, his plump little face had lost much of its fullness, and his body was covered in bruises. It

was clear that he had been reprimanded and beaten.

Upon seeing the injuries on Thaddeus, Vivienne's face immediately darkened.

She pulled up his sleeve to check him out. Her voice was cold and devoid of warmth as she asked,

"Did your aunt and cousins do this to you?"

Thaddeus, upon seeing her, immediately welled up with tears and timidly answered, "Yes... they didn't

feed me and hit me."

He was constantly bullied by his cousins, and he lived in constant fear.

Although she had heard about it from Matthew, after seeing and hearing it from Thaddeus directly,

Vivienne felt a surge of rage overwhelm her. Her fingers clenched tightly and became burning fists.

"Don't be afraid." She gently comforted the terrified Thaddeus. "No one can bully you now. You can live

here peacefully."

Before his return, she had prepared his favorite dishes. She led Thaddeus to the dining room and had

Dorian and Cordelia called over.

Ten minutes later, when Dorian and Cordelia saw Thaddeus sitting in the chair eating chicken wings,

they were taken aback. "Thaddeus? How did you get here?!"

Vivienne observed their expressions and coolly asked, "What? You didn't want to see Thaddeus?"

"Of course not!" Dorian quickly explained, "We're just so happy. We didn't expect Thaddeus to be able

to come to Rivenwood, let alone live in the Brooks' house!"

"Indeed! Our good fortune is all thanks to Vivienne."

Vivienne watched Dorian and Cordelia coldly. "Thaddeus has lost so much weight; don't you care?"

Dorian's expression faltered, and he awkwardly laughed. "Thaddeus is our son; how could we not

care?"

"It's normal for kids to lose a bit of weight during their growth period. Vivienne, I know you care a lot

about Thaddeus, but there's no need to worry this much." Cordelia added with a smile.

Vivienne's eyes narrowed. Was it normal for a child to lose a bit of weight this fast?

What sort of loving parent could utter such words?

Vivienne pulled up Thaddeus's sleeve, revealing his injuries. "Is this also me worrying too much?"

"This..." Dorian and Cordelia fell silent, but they quickly recovered and rushed over. "Thaddeus, how

did this happen?!"

"My God! How did you get hurt like this?!"

Vivienne shot them a look and sneered. "After you handed Thaddeus over to his aunt, didn't you bother

to check on him?"

Dorian averted his eyes, looking guilty. "We've been busy setting up the company recently. We

intended to bring Thaddeus back once things settled down, but we didn't expect things to turn out like

this."

Cordelia hugged Thaddeus, who was still visibly frightened. "Thaddeus, you’re fine now. Your parents

are here; we'll protect you!"

Vivienne tilted her head slightly as she watched their performance. "Don't worry, Thaddeus' aunt and

cousins have been sent to the coal mines. They'll spend the rest of their lives there, paying for their

sins."

Dorian and Cordelia exchanged a glance. They were both taken aback. They knew Vivienne was not to

be trifled with, but her ruthlessness still surprised them.

"We didn't expect them to be so cruel. If we knew, we would never have sent him there." Cordelia tried

defending their decision. "After all, they're our relatives. There's a blood bond. Vivienne, please let it go

for his sake."

Vivienne's gaze slowly swept over Dorian and Cordelia, piercing them like thorns. "Anyone who dares

to touch Thaddeus should be prepared to wish they were dead."

Dorian and Cordelia felt a chill run down their spines, but they could only put on a brave face.

"Vivienne's right." He said. "Our relatives messed up this time, and they should face the music."

After watching their expressions shift and change, Vivienne added, "Since you're here in Rivenwood,

Richard thought he'd invite you both for a meal. Whenever you're free, of course."

Dorian and Cordelia were taken aback.

Richard invited them for a meal?

They exchanged a glance. Was there a plot brewing?

After looking at Vivienne, whose expression was as casual as ever, Dorian gleefully accepted. "We're

free! Anytime is good for us."

After a pause, Dorian added, "Actually, it should be us, the younger generation, asking to visit. Richard

is really a man of manners to have suggested it first."

Vivienne tapped her fingers lightly on the table, gesturing for the timid Thaddeus to continue his meal.

"Let's have the meal at the Ellington Estate. I'll let you know when we've settled on a specific time."

Richard had only just recovered and was still in convalescence. He couldn't move around too much.

His surgery was very successful; it left no lasting effects. However, he was getting on in years, and Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

after such an ordeal, he was bound to be somewhat affected.

"Sure! We'll go with your plan."

Dorian agreed obediently, then seemed to remember something. "By the way, Vivienne, how's the

perfume formula coming along?"

Last time, he had subtly hinted at wanting Vivienne to provide the perfume formula for his company.

Now, his company preparations were in full swing, and all that was missing was the key perfume

formula.

That formula was everything to his perfume company. Its success or failure depended on it.

"No rush." Vivienne picked up a napkin and dabbed at her lips.

"I'll give it to you soon." She softly said.

Could his intentions be any clearer?

He was practically trying to rob her in broad daylight.

Compared to Thaddeus, who was pitifully eating his meal on the side, Dorian was completely focused

on the perfume formula.

"But." She looked up as her beautiful eyes sparkled mischievously. "Are you really sure about staying in

Rivenwood?"