The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 135

Upon seeing her, Mr. James eagerly approached. "Vivienne, this is Felix. The son of an old friend of mine who just returned from studying abroad. He's a genius in the field of electronic engineering, like you. You guys should exchange ideas when you have time."

"Hello, Vivienne."

Vivienne extended her right hand, giving Felix an extra glance. She had seen countless handsome men and beautiful women, but it was the first time she had encountered a man whose beauty was androgynous.

"Hello, Felix."

Although Felix always seemed aloof, he politely shook hands with Vivienne.

"Your colleague was in a car accident yesterday. He's now in the hospital." Mr. James sighed heavily. "So he won't be able to teach Class Eighteen English anymore."

He then patted Felix on the shoulder, laughing. "Fortunately, Felix is back. With only a little over a month left before the college entrance test, he'll take over the English classes."

Vivienne eyed Felix without saying a word. Seeing this, Felix silently pulled out a teaching certificate from his pocket and handed it to her. "Don't worry." He said stiffly, "I'm certified and can guarantee that I'll take good care of your students."

"Come on, don't be so silly." Mr. James chuckled as his face crinkled like a sunflower. He patted Felix's shoulder and said, "Since I've chosen you, I know you can handle it. Vivienne trusts my judgment, right?" "Felix, take care." Vivienne nodded without saying much.

After Mr. James and Felix left, she still stood there, staring at Felix's retreating figure.

"Vivienne, you're ogling other men behind my back again." Percival appeared out of nowhere, his tone somewhat jealous.

"I'm a sucker for good looks." Vivienne laughed lightly. "Who can blame me when the new guy is so handsome?"

"Is he more handsome than me?" Percival glanced at Felix's distant figure, hiding the glint in his eyes, and persistently nagged Vivienne.

"About the same." Vivienne carefully compared them, then added with a smile. "But he's younger than you."

Percival felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart. He wished he could teach this girl a lesson in certain ways, physically demonstrating how young he was.

"Vivienne."

Suddenly, Vivienne heard someone call her. She turned around to see Coral looking at her timidly. "I... I have something to show you."

Percival frowned. Who was this now?

Seeing that no one was speaking, Coral became anxious. "This could prove your father's innocence."

Vivienne and Percival exchanged glances, then both walked toward Coral.

"What is it?" Vivienne asked.

Coral silently showed them a video of Arabella disparaging Dorian's family for being poor and admitting that she enjoyed a luxurious life only because she was with Beatrice. This video at least proved that Dorian was innocent of child molestation.

"If necessary, I can testify for your father. Arabella has said many derogatory things about you." Coral seemed a bit frantic. "I know I've done many things to hurt you in the past. Consider this video as a part of my apology."

"Thank you. I'll take the video. It might come in handy." Vivienne thanked her after receiving the video from Coral.

But she knew very well that the so-called child molestation and childhood harassment charges were now impossible to investigate due to a lack of evidence. It was impossible to convict Dorian based solely on Beatrice and Arabella's testimonies.

So this wasn't the main issue. The primary concern was the rape case at the motel.

However, she asked Coral curiously, "Why do you believe in my father's innocence?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Coral glanced at Vivienne. "Arabella is a notorious liar. Whatever she says must be false! That's why I believe your father."

With that, she turned and ran off.

Vivienne slightly pursed her lips, suddenly thinking that this girl, who finally stopped being manipulated by Arabella, was quite adorable.

In the afternoon.

After the lawyer successfully met with Dorian, Matthew called Vivienne, his tone a bit off.

"Madam, the lawyer met with your father. According to your father, he received a call from Arabella, begging him to come and rescue her at the motel. He didn't think much and went. However, as soon as he entered, he was knocked out from behind and didn't know what happened next."

"Okay." Vivienne already had a hunch about this situation after watching the surveillance video.

"There's more." Matthew's voice became a bit heavier. "As you predicted, your father was placed in the same cell as Elijah after he was transferred to the detention center."

"Did something happen?" Vivienne's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Yes. Your father was beaten up on his first day in there." Matthew replied in a heavy tone.

Despite this being a predictable situation, Vivienne still took a deep breath before asking, "How badly was he injured?"

"They used a special method, so there are no visible injuries." Matthew sighed. "So the lawyer can't use this as a reason to apply for a cell change."

"Special?" Vivienne frowned.

"They used needles."

"Madam, you are surely aware of how excruciating it can be when those slender cattle hair needles are lodged into your flesh. It causes ineffable pain without leaving a single trace of injury."

Matthew's tone dropped slightly. "That's the exact method they're using to torment your father. He's complained to the wardens, but they've searched his cell. Even with metal detectors, they found nothing. So, they've assumed he's lying and refused to change his cell."

"Those needles are likely not made of metal." Vivienne rubbed her temples.

She had suspected this since seeing the news photos of Elijah's arrest the day before.

The plot to imprison Dorian, regardless of whether his sexual assault charges were substantiated, was inconsequential. What they truly wanted was to have Dorian confined during his time in the detention center.

Sexual assault cases were notoriously difficult to resolve.

Hence, the investigation stage would be excessively prolonged. During this extensive period, they had ample time to torment Dorian.

And she was left powerless.

"What do they want?" Vivienne asked coldly.

"The perfume formula your mother left behind." Matthew answered.

As expected.

Vivienne let out a cold laugh. "Tell Dorian to give them whatever they want."

"We've told him the same." Matthew sighed again. "But your father is quite stubborn. His lawyer mentioned how he'd been tortured all night. He appeared extremely weak, yet he insisted on not handing over your mother's formula. He said it was something your mother left behind, and it shouldn't be used like this."

Vivienne sometimes thought Dorian was simple, yet other times he seemed incomprehensible.

He appeared weak and helpless in many aspects, but when it came to matters of principle, he was as stubborn as a mule.

"Madam, as a skilled physician, you're well aware that those cattle hair needles, despite causing only minor injuries, could be lethal if lodged in the wrong place." Matthew continued, "And we're unable to request a cell change or even propose bail for your father due to obstruction from some unknown source. Given the current circumstances, what do you think we should do?"