The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 240

Her gaze swept over the room, landing on Percival. He was lying on the bed with his bare back glistening. Ashley had no idea what had been going on before she arrived. However, Percival's smooth, muscular back was exposed, and Ashley took it all in. Suddenly, Ashley's head felt hot, and her nostrils were filled with a warm sensation. "You're having a nosebleed." Vivienne's eyebrows furrowed as she stared at Ashley's sudden nosebleed.

"No, it's okay!" Ashley quickly covered her nose and darted off, yelling, "Don't forget to come down for dinner!"

Vivienne watched her retreating figure and felt confused. She turned back to see Percival still lying on the bed in his rather sensual pose.

Suddenly, everything clicked. She scoffed at Percival. "You're not acting like a gentleman."

Percival was puzzled.

What did she mean?

How was he not acting like a gentleman?

He'd been celibate for twenty-nine years. Wasn't that enough?

Although Percival didn't have a closet full of clothes to choose from, the Brooks family had arranged for a tailored suit to be sent to him.

When he and Vivienne descended the stairs, the entire Brooks family was waiting for them in the living room.

"Ah, so disrespectful, making us all wait for so long." Paula started with her sarcastic tone.

"Is your son's hand not hurting anymore?" Vivienne countered. Her cool gaze was fixed on Paula as her ice-cold voice rang out.

Paula's face changed, and she quickly shut her mouth. Eddy, sitting next to her, scowled at Vivienne.

Carl, sitting next to Ronald, sneered.

"Vivienne, come sit with Grandma." Judith smiled and extended her hand.

Vivienne graciously moved to sit next to Judith, subtly pulling her hand away.

Judith watched as Vivienne withdrew her hand with a flicker of disappointment in her eyes, but she quickly laughed it off. "I've been wanting to have a proper chat with you for a while. I've been wanting to thank you for saving me, but you never have time. Now that we'll be living together, I'll take good care of you."

"Mom, it's not that she doesn't have time; it's that she doesn't want to pay any attention to you." Paula said while glancing at Vivienne.

"That just proves Vivienne's character. She doesn't use her kindness for her own gain." Judith rebuked, staring at Paula. "She saved my life, and I made it clear that I wanted to thank her. We are a prominent family, so me owing her is a big deal. If she were of poor character, she could have demanded anything she wanted. But she didn't even meet with me. Because she's not interested in our wealth or gratitude. Where can you replace such a good child who helps others without expecting anything in return?"

Vivienne remained silent, but her brows were furrowed.

She indeed didn't care about the Brooks family's gratitude and didn't crave any repayment.

But she didn't meet with Judith because she just didn't want to see them. There was nothing noble about it.

Paula was left speechless.

"Paula, I know you've been blaming your older brother for Katara's incident." Judith warned Paula. "You've been disrespectful to him all these years, and I didn't say anything. But from now on, be nice to Vivienne. Your grievances have nothing to do with her!"

Paula bit her lip, not wanting to respond, but under Judith's stern gaze, she had to relent. "Fine, Mom."

Then Cassie came in and reported, "Mila Clark and Calista Pendleton are here."

Judith and Scott both frowned. Ashley and the rest turned to look at Vivienne, recalling how she had ruined Mila's concert last time.

"Mom, Mila heard that big brother found his real daughter, so she came over to congratulate him." Paula stood up with a smile and walked towards the door.

She and Mila had always been close friends. After Mila divorced William Pendleton, she would come to the Brooks Mansion under the pretext of visiting Paula, trying to get closer to Scott.

Mila was supposed to have two more concerts, but after her Havenwood concert was ruined by Vivienne, she got into a car accident on her way to the next city and injured her hand, so she had to cancel the rest of the tour and return to Rivenwood.

In the past two days since returning to Rivenwood, Mila had expected the Brooks family to feel guilty about her accident since she had left Havenwood out of embarrassment caused by them, but instead, she heard that Scott had found another daughter.

She hurriedly brought Calista to the Brooks Mansion under the guise of congratulating them. She was intent on marrying Scott, but if his new daughter was as difficult to get along with as Arabella, it would be a real hassle.

Calista was wearing her gold-rimmed glasses again today. She was dressed in a white suit, and her long hair was tied up behind her, making her look very crisp and efficient.

She followed Mila into the living room with an impassive expression on her face. Eddy's and Carl's eyes lit up the moment they saw her.

"Calista, you're here." Carl greeted her with a smile and stood up to welcome her.

"It's been a while, hasn't it, Calista?" Eddy chuckled, giving a nod towards Calista.

Percival squinted his eyes, casting a glance at the two. They hadn't been this friendly when Vivienne arrived. If he didn't know any better, he'd think Calista was their real cousin. He turned his gaze to Vivienne, who seemed completely unfazed by the differential treatment from her supposed relatives.

He didn't notice Calista freeze for a moment when their eyes met. There was a glimmer of light in hers. But then she saw Vivienne sitting next to Judith, and her heart filled with dread. Sure enough, the next second, Paula tugged at Mila, pointing at Vivienne. "This is my big brother's newly found daughter, Vivienne."

Mila stared at Vivienne as her face turned sour. She never imagined that the little girl who ruined her concert at Havenwood was actually Scott's biological daughter.

Looking back now, Scott's unusual treatment of Vivienne made sense.

Vivienne slowly lifted her eyes, and her frosty gaze swept over Mila's tight face, landing on Calista. She locked eyes with her across the room as a slow smile spread across her face. So, it was that woman who'd been eyeing Percival.

She tilted her head, shooting a knowing look at Percival.

Percival didn't really understand what was going on.

What was it now?

Ever since this young girl arrived here, her moods have been as unpredictable as New England's weather.