The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 108

In the living room.

Percival was chilling on the sofa, waiting for her, while Doreen and Bertha kept him company.

After seeing Vivienne descend the stairs, he stood up to greet her. "All done?"

"Yep." Vivienne nodded as she made her way down the stairs. She turned to Doreen and Bertha. "Starting tomorrow, I won't be treating Faye anymore. I've already told her about the medicine."

Doreen immediately showed her gratitude and saw Vivienne and Percival out, finally dropping a bombshell. "The Hawthorn family just declared bankruptcy."

Vivienne was already in the loop; the news broke out at noon today. It was a complete smear on the Hawthorn family's reputation.

The tide of public opinion turned. The netizens who previously helped Arabella attack her and Percival had now started to attack Arabella, and Beatrice. The effect was significant.

Major banks and raw material suppliers who collaborated with the Hawthorn family and distributors who had already paid the deposit for the perfume, fearing they wouldn't get their money, all flocked to the hospital and pressed the Hawthorn family for repayment.

This time, Beatrice couldn't hold on. She passed out for real.

The Hawthorn family eventually declared bankruptcy.

Vivienne wasn't surprised. This was the ending Vivienne had planned for them.

This time, only two families took action against the Hawthorn family. If every family pitched in, the Hawthorn family would probably be destroyed without a trace.

She took Dorian and Iris' feelings into consideration, so she didn't go all in.

Doreen told Vivienne. "This incident was mainly because I wasn't careful enough and got tricked by Arabella. I also dragged you in. Don't worry, the Baker family will definitely hold her legally responsible." The Baker family essentially caused this incident, but, in the end, it was Vivienne who cleaned up the mess, so Doreen felt quite ashamed.

Without saying much, Vivienne just politely said her goodbyes and left with Percival.

Today, Thomas didn't come. Percival drove.

On the way, Richard called.

As soon as the call connected, Richard began to cuss. "I'm returning to Rivenwood in a few days, and you're not even around to keep me company. Where the hell are you?" Percival was a bit helpless. "I accompanied Vivienne to the Bakers."

"Vivienne's with you?" Richard's tone immediately softened. "Then spend more time with Vivienne. It's fine if you don't come home tonight. You're young, after all. Being a little impulsive isn't a bad thing." Vivienne slightly raised an eyebrow, teasingly looking at Percival.

Percival immediately pleaded innocence with his eyes. He definitely didn't mean it that way.

"Vivienne." Richard called for Vivienne.

"Richard, I'm here."

"I'm returning to Rivenwood in a few days. I want to invite your whole family for dinner the day after tomorrow. I haven't seen you for days. I miss you."

"Okay, I'll let them know." Vivienne replied.

Richard was satisfied. He didn't say another word and hung up the call.

The difference in the way he treated them was too obvious.

"I'll definitely be obedient in the future." Percival pretended to sigh. "Because if we fight, Grandpa will definitely side with you."

"Mr. Ellington." Vivienne turned her head to look at him with her clear and captivating eyes as her lips slightly moved. "I remember telling you that we will eventually break off our engagement." Percival's hand, which was on the steering wheel, paused for a moment, and his throat suddenly felt a bit dry. "I know."

He knew Vivienne had never thought of marrying him.

Vivienne's identity, what she did, and even agreeing to get engaged with him were all for a purpose.

But he, who never had much interest in women, had special feelings for Vivienne, who was ten years younger than him. He didn't know when these feelings began, but they were always hidden deep in his heart.

Perhaps it was last night on the Ferris wheel, amid the endless fireworks, when she leaned towards him, and he saw his own reflection in her eyes.

He was sure of one thing.

He liked Vivienne.

But when Vivienne reminded him time and time again that they would break off their engagement, his heart would inexplicably ache.

He couldn't fully understand her, but he knew the strength she showed now was just the tip of the iceberg.

He never felt weak, but when facing Vivienne, he always felt like he wasn't strong enough.

He hoped he could become stronger. Strong enough that Vivienne's gaze could never leave him.

Just like how his gaze could never leave her now.

Percival turned his head as a faint glow reflected in his dark pupils. He softly said, "At least for now, you haven't left, which means I still have a chance to make you marry me." Vivienne was silent for a moment. She suddenly beamed with a captivating smile. "Mr. Ellington, bring it on."

Percival also smiled. "Okay."

Cloud Eatery's food was very famous in Havenwood. It was said that the owner had many unique recipes that attracted a lot of foodies.

Richard's farewell banquet was set there. Apart from him and Percival, Isolde and Cecilia also came, as did a freeloader named Leopold Sterling, who insisted on joining.

On the way, even though Leopold had his own ride, he insisted on hitching a ride with Percival, yapping away about the incident at the hospital. "Mr. Ellington, do you think Vivienne has violent tendencies? She kicked Arabella so hard that day. I worry about your future married life."

Percival gave him a cold glance, not taking the bait, but instead asking, "I didn't ask for your help with the Hawthorn family issue, so why did you Sterling family also get involved?"

Leopold tried to dodge him. He looked left and right, not daring to meet Percival's gaze. "I saw you getting involved, and, as a good friend, of course I had to lend a hand."

The Sterling family got involved because they received an order from the Nine Mystics Society.

The order was issued by the leader of the Nine Mystics Society. He didn't know why they suddenly demanded the bankruptcy of the Hawthorn Group, but once the Nine Mystics Society issued an order, they, the Sterling family, would carry it out without any hesitation.

Moreover, he had long been wanting to take down the Hawthorn family, which he disliked. Even if he was asked to streak naked three times around Havenwood, he would do it.

However, the affairs of the Nine Mystics Society must not be divulged to outsiders. He couldn't even tell his close friend, Percival.

"Really?" Percival scrutinized Leopold for a moment. "Should I thank you for your deep affection for me?"

Leopold immediately clutched his chest and dodged to the side, yelling, "My feelings for you are purely fraternal; don't get any other ideas! I'm into women only! If you push me, I'll scream!" Just then, the car arrived at Cloud Eatery and came to a stop.

Leopold's back accidentally hit the car window button.

The window rolled down, and Vivienne's family outside the car started giving them weird looks.

Percival promptly kicked Leopold. "Get lost!"