The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 236

Percival instantly stiffened up and swept away his previous frail look. He took the initiative to take Vivienne's hand and climb into Scott's car.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to instruct the abandoned Leopold on what to do. "Settle Anna in, and watch out for the GTO gang."

Leopold glanced at Anna and nodded.

Anna exchanged a look with Vivienne, not saying much.

After Vivienne and Percival climbed into Scott's car, she jokingly asked Percival, "Your back's not hurting anymore?"

Percival immediately bent slightly. He plastered a fragile look on his face as he clutched his left rib, leaning against the car seat without a word. His eyes were filled with a hint of watery grievance as he looked at Vivienne. His gaze was so tender that it could melt hearts.

Vivienne felt goosebumps all over. She thought that if it weren't for Scott sitting next to them, watching them like a hawk, Percival might have even collapsed into her arms while acting all coquettish. Vivienne couldn't help but shudder as she imagined that unbearable scene.

Sitting next to Vivienne, Scott had been observing the interactions between the young couple. Seeing Percival's coquettish look towards Vivienne made him snort in his heart, thinking it was all pretense and a ploy to woo his daughter.

Although Karen had chosen Percival, she had passed away ten years ago. The Percival of ten years ago was a gentle and refined youth, and Scott had thought him suitable then.

He had wished, if he ever had a daughter, to marry her to Percival.

It was more than a decade later now, and people were prone to change. Percival was obviously no longer his young self. So, for Vivienne's future happiness, he needed to scrutinize Percival thoroughly. This was also why he readily agreed to let Percival return with Vivienne to the Brooks family. It was easier to observe him if he was under his watch.

Brooks Mansion.

Ashley sat thoughtfully on the garden swing, swinging back and forth with a frown on her face.

After returning from Havenwood this time, she returned to the Brooks family with her mother, Melissa.

Her college entrance exam results were very good. They were good enough for her to enter Elite University. But the Brooks family intended to send her abroad to study, so they asked her to return to discuss it.

As she was debating between going abroad or entering Elite University, she heard the sound of a car horn outside the gate of the mansion.

The electric gate of the mansion immediately opened wide, and a black stretch limousine, escorted by two other cars, drove in.

Ashley hopped off the swing out of curiosity, wondering when her uncle had taken a liking to such grandeur.

She saw the back door of the limousine open, and a pair of long legs stepped out first. The tall figure of the man made Ashley pause.

He was casually dressed today; even his hair wasn't particularly styled, but he still exuded an air of elegance. The morning sun dyed his messy hair golden and softened his usually cold, narrow eyes.

He stood by the car door and bent slightly, reaching out to help a tall girl out of the back seat.

This was the third time Ashley had seen this beautiful girl. She was dressed as casually as when she went to Mila's piano concert. She was wearing a white t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers.

On closer inspection, her clothes were even a bit dirty.

Yet standing next to the man under the sunlight, there was an indescribable sense of compatibility and match.

Scott was the last one to get out of the car. He glanced at Percival with some displeasure and then looked at Vivienne with a touch of regret.

He had wanted to open the door for his daughter and help her out of the car himself, but the clueless Percival had beaten him to it.

"Uncle." Ashley greeted him with a smile on her face as she quickly walked up to them. She reached out warmly towards Vivienne. "Cousin, you're finally back. Uncle's been searching for you for days." "Hello." Vivienne replied hesitantly as she reached out her hand. She intended to just shake hands and let go, but Ashley grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the main house, leaving Percival behind. "Come on, let's go meet Grandma."

Percival glanced at Scott, waiting for him to take the lead before following at the end out of politeness.

As Vivienne followed Ashley to the main house, she took in the sights of the Brooks Mansion.

The Brooks family was an old family with a history spanning a century, and the history of Brooks Mansion could be traced back to a century ago. After being built by the Brooks family's patriarch, it had been refurbished by several generations, blending traces of the old era with the new, creating a unique and alluring charm.

There was a time when the Brooks family had fallen out of the Four Prominent Families of Rivenwood. They were even facing financial ruin and the potential auction of Brooks Mansion to pay off debts. It was rumored that they received help from a mysterious power, allowing the Brooks family to rise again and re-enter the Four Prominent Families of Rivenwood, even surpassing other families to take second place.

No sooner had they entered the hall when Judith, who had just received the news, came downstairs, aided by Melissa. Spotting Vivienne, her face lit up with a smile. "Vivienne, who would have thought that you were my granddaughter?"

After taking a few steps forward, she gently took Vivienne's hand from Ashley, holding it tightly with a soft laugh, though her eyes shimmered with tears. "I always knew we had a connection. You even saved me once."

After looking at Vivienne with hopeful eyes, it was clear she wanted Vivienne to call her grandma.

But Vivienne merely glanced at her. Her expression was indifferent as she said, "Mrs. Brooks."

Not everyone deserved to be called 'grandma' by her.

So, what if she was her biological grandmother?

If it were found that Judith had wronged her mother in the past, being related by blood wouldn't save her.

"It's alright. We'll take it slow." Judith's face fell slightly.

However, she had seen the information Scott had gathered about Vivienne. She knew how Beatrice had mistreated Vivienne when she was a child, so she was understanding.

"Oh, brother, have you recognized an impolite daughter again?" A sharp voice echoed from upstairs. "Did your mother not teach you manners? Can't you even say the word grandma?"

Vivienne's gaze hardened as her eyes narrowed slightly. Looking up, she saw a woman with her hair in a bun, wearing a beige linen suit, slowly descending the stairs while scrutinizing Vivienne with a critical eye.

She stood next to Judith as her almond eyes scanned Vivienne up and down before she snorted in contempt. "Brother, your daughter is truly rude. How did Karen raise her? It's one thing to come for a visit dressed like this, but her clothes are so dirty!"

"Paula!" Judith's face turned stern. "This is your own niece. Watch your language!"

"Vivienne is my daughter." Scott added coldly while looking at Paula Brooks. "She's not here for a visit. She's a part of this family and the owner of this house. She can wear whatever she wants in her own home without the need for propriety."