The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Juliette didn't hesitate for a second before she replied, "Of course, Mr. Boyd!"

Dawson glanced at Leopold for confirmation before asking again, "So, Juliette, do you and Isaiah like him?" Juliette scoffed, "Of course not, we don't need a stepdad. Our dad will come back, Isaiah and I both know it." She was utterly confident as she spoke, but the expression on Leopold and Dawson's faces was complex. They had never fully explained the accident from five years ago to the children.

Firstly, they wanted to keep a glimmer of hope alive.

Secondly, Vivienne felt the same way.

She was convinced that the body found, despite matching Percival's DNA, wasn't him.

An unshakeable belief she held.

Because of it, she had been searching for five years.

Abroad.

At a mountain base.

Vivienne stood atop a high vantage point, coldly observing the man kneeling before her, shaking uncontrollably.

"Please, let me go. I just stole some worthless stuff. Take it all if you want..."

The man was desperately knocking his head on the ground, not daring to look up even as blood trickled from his forehead.

This place was a melting pot of dark forces, a lawless land.

But no matter who you encountered here, your life could be snuffed out in an instant.

He was just trying his luck and certainly didn't expect to risk his life.

Vivienne's gaze on the man, who bore a slight resemblance to Mr. Wolf from behind, dimmed the moment she laid eyes on him.

Even in disguise.

Mr. Wolf would never stoop to such behavior.

This man was not him!

After several hours of flying, she was tired. Pressing her temples, she ordered, "Thomas, destroy whatever he has, and make sure he doesn't show up here again." Thomas responded with a firm voice, "Yes."

Upon returning, Vivienne was reviewing documents in the office, all properties left by Mr. Wolf.

The intertwined forces involved were complex, and it took her two years to stabilize them.

It was only in the past year that she entrusted Thomas with managing them. So far, her decision seemed right.

Thomas had the capability to lead these people and handled matters smoothly.

She was confident in leaving these matters to him.

"Madam!"

Thomas stood at the door.

Vivienne closed the document and nodded for him to enter.

Approaching, Thomas's face bore a hint of unavoidable disappointment, "Madam, I was too hasty. I didn't expect this man to be..."Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

He dared not finish, those two words had been etched in his heart for five years, equally a hurdle for Vivienne.

Vivienne shook her head, signaling it wasn't necessary.

Over these five years, she had seen all sorts of situations.

Rather than being disappointed, she saw this as a promising sign.

"Thomas, we've spent five years and a considerable amount of resources searching for Mr. Wolf, but to no avail. Have you ever considered another possibility?"

Her voice was calm and slow, causing Thomas to start, "Madam, what are you suggesting?"

Vivienne's gaze deepened, "If we can't find him, perhaps Mr. Wolf has already discovered us and has taken steps to conceal himself from us."

Thomas was momentarily panicked, blurting out, "Why would Percival do that?"

Vivienne smiled sadly, certain matters she dared not contemplate too deeply, "We'll only know the answer when we see him."

Thomas pondered before suddenly saying, "Could it be related to that man's death?"

Vivienne knew whom he referred to, her tone was affirmative, "No!"

After Abigail's death, she had dispatched several forces to eliminate her remaining followers.

The Wright family also kept an eye out for any mysterious figures.

Yet, five years passed.

Abigail's forces had been eradicated, but her last words remained unfulfilled.

If someone existed to avenge her, why hadn't they appeared by now?

Even if that person intended to wait, five years would have revealed some clue.

But over these five years, she found nothing suspicious about the opposite party.

Who could Abigail's hidden ally be?

Thomas also fell into thought.

He didn't know what Percival had discovered or intended to do.

No one knew Percival's thoughts.

He had left without a word.

Everyone believed he died in that crash.

Including Percival's relatives.

Yet, he couldn't believe it.

Perhaps that body could deceive everyone, but he knew, Percival couldn't deceive his wife.

The sudden vibration of a phone broke the silence.

Vivienne glanced at the number, sliding to answer, her expression tensing upon hearing the news, "How's Juliette?"

Whatever was said on the other end caused Vivienne's pupils to constrict, "I'll be right there."

Thomas, unaware of the specifics, knew it involved Juliette, Percival's child.

The real reason Vivienne hadn't ventured far these years.

Thomas gestured for someone to come over, whispering, "Prepare for the madam's immediate return home."

As Vivienne prepared to leave, a report came from outside.

"Gideon's group claims we're harboring a man they're looking for. They've brought people and are blocking our exit." Thomas frowned, "Their man?"

Gideon's group was a local force. With Percival present, they dared not act rashly.

Although Percival's status remained undisclosed, his years of absence likely tipped them off.

An underling explained, "It's the man from earlier. They claim he stole their internal information. If we don't hand him over, they'll treat us as accomplices and claim the right to investigate our operations.

Thomas's voice was icy as he asked, "Where's the man?"

"He took his own life with poison just moments ago!"

Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "A death with no witness. Do they possess some sort of clairvoyance?"

Thomas had a sudden realization, which explained why that man bore such a striking resemblance to Percival. It was all part of the enemy's plan!

Thomas's expression darkened

immediately. He turned to his people

and commanded, "Notify everyone to be on high alert. If they so much

as twitch, they're signing their own death warrant!"

Once the men had left, he turned to Vivienne, "My dear, I'll handle things here. You'd better hurry back to Rivenwood!"

Vivienne was reluctant to leave, but

the matters at Rivenwood weighed heavily on her heart, so she had no choice but to go first, "Thomas, contact me immediately if anything happens."

Thomas nodded, arranging for a few men to escort Vivienne as she left the mountaintop by helicopter.

With the remaining people, he headed towards the base of the mountain.

It seemed anyone thought they could threaten them now that Percival was gone, as if every Tom, Dick, and Harry wanted a piece of the action.