The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 242

Percival rubbed his temples with annoyance, feeling somewhat helpless.

"You need to come pick us up right now! No substitutes! Or we will never forgive you!" Cecilia commanded. Isolde chimed in. "Right, we will never forgive you!"

"Vivienne, I need to head to the airport to pick up my mom and Isolde." Percival stood up. "I'll be back later." He glanced at the Brooks family and asked Vivienne, "Do you want to come with me?"

He wanted her to avoid dealing with these troublesome people.

Vivienne lounged in her chair. "I'll pass. I'll visit Cecilia later."

"Alright." Percival didn't say anything else. If his girl wanted to stay and deal with the trash, let her.

Percival apologized to Judith and Scott before heading out.

After a few steps, he stopped by Calista. "Calista, unless it's important, don't talk to me."

He was talking to Calista, but his gaze was on Vivienne. It seemed like he was pleading for praise. "I am a gentleman."

With that, he walked away without giving anyone else a glance.

Ashley, who was drinking water, sprayed it directly onto Carl's face.

"Damn!" Carl jumped up from the sofa. "Ashley, are you crazy?!"

"Sorry, sorry." Ashley apologized while giving Percival a peculiar look.

Did she just hear that right?

Percival said he was a gentleman?

What the hell?

Carl glared at Ashley before rushing upstairs to change clothes.

Calista's smile was frozen on her face. Percival was very clear. If she still tried to get close to him, wouldn't everyone see her intentions?

She looked at Vivienne resentfully, only to see Vivienne's disdainful gaze in return. It seemed that all of her schemes were transparent under Vivienne's gaze. She lowered her eyes in frustration as her hands crumpled up her pants.

Mila stretched out her hand, subtly patting Calista's hand to comfort her, signaling her not to be too hasty.

The atmosphere in the living room changed visibly after Percival left.

Paula's suppressed arrogance seemed to grow stronger, and her gaze towards Vivienne was predatory.

Meanwhile, Mila and Calista occasionally showed contempt for Vivienne as well.

At that moment, Cassie announced that dinner was ready.

Melissa quickly stood up and invited everyone to the table.

"Vivienne, sit next to Grandma." Judith took Vivienne's hand and led her to the head of the table, where Baron usually sat.

Vivienne didn't refuse, and she was about to sit down when....

"Such a lack of manners." Paula sneered. "Your grandma tells you to sit, and you choose that seat?! Do you know what that seat signifies?"

"I don't." Vivienne sat down at the head of the table without any hesitation.

"That's a seat only your grandfather can sit in!" Paula's voice grew sharp. "Look at yourself and see if you're worthy!"

Scott's face darkened. He was ready to fight back, but Judith was quicker. "Enough! I told Vivienne to sit there. If you have a problem, take it up with me!"

Paula's face turned red with anger. She wanted to argue, but Melissa pulled her back. She didn't dare argue with Judith directly, so she swallowed her anger and shut up.

Scott took a seat next to Judith. Paula had intended to have Mila sit next to Scott, but Scott pulled Timothy to sit down next to him instead.

Paula had no choice but to let Mila and Calista sit next to her.

Once Carl changed clothes and came down, he joined the table.

Judith asked Melissa, "Where's Darren?"

The Darren she referred to was Melissa's son and Ashley's brother, Darren Edwards.

Melissa frowned slightly. "I'm not sure. He told me he was flying into Rivenwood at nine this morning. Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

She nudged Ashley. "Call your brother."

"I did earlier. He didn't answer." Ashley shook her head.

"Maybe his flight was delayed or he is stuck in traffic." Scott suggested. "Let's not wait for him and start eating."

"Alright." Judith patted Vivienne's hand. "Your auntie's son, Darren, doesn't have a regular job. He ran off last year to join some talent show. Ever since he got into the entertainment industry, he's hardly ever been home. This time, he rushed back from a film set because he heard you were found. He's not intentionally late."

She continued, "This is your first meal back home, so we prepared a family feast. In a few days, your father will arrange a family reunion banquet for you."

Judith was relieved that Arabella's banquet was held in Havenwood. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing for the Brooks family to have two family reunion banquets in Rivenwood in a row. Vivienne didn't comment.

Judith then presented a velvet box to Vivienne. "Vivienne, this is a welcome gift from me."

Vivienne opened the box to replace a high-grade bracelet, known as Peach Blossom.

It was rare to replace a Peach Blossom bracelet of such high quality. It was full-colored and had a strong purple hue, which looked particularly good against Vivienne's fair skin.

Such a high-quality bracelet would be worth millions on the market. It was a pity there was only one. If there were a pair, the value would be even higher.

"Here, let me put it on for you." Judith said, reaching for the Peach Blossom bracelet. She carefully fastened it around Vivienne's wrist, then held it up for inspection. "This shade of lavender really is perfect for a young lady of your age."

"Mom!" Paula's voice was as sharp as a knife. Her eyes were fixed on the bracelet glittering on Vivienne's wrist. "When I was getting married, I asked for this bracelet. Do you remember what you told me?

"You said there was only one bracelet. If you gave it to me, there wouldn't be any left for anyone else. You didn't want to show favoritism, so you said you wouldn't give it to either of us. But now you're giving it to this girl?"

Vivienne was just a country bumpkin. What right did she have to wear such an expensive bracelet?

Was she really worthy?

A mocking smile adorned Vivienne's lips. The Peach Blossom bracelet was indeed rare, but she didn't feel like she absolutely had to have it.

However, seeing Paula's obvious distress made her change her mind. Now that she was wearing the bracelet, it was hers.

"Did I lie?" Judith's brows furrowed in displeasure. "I didn't give the bracelet to you or your sister, so I'm giving it to my granddaughter. Vivienne is my granddaughter. What's wrong with me giving this bracelet to her?"

"But you have more than one granddaughter!" Paula's words were laced with envy. She shot Vivienne a venomous glance before pointing at Timothy and Cheryl. "Did you forget about Kala? She's your granddaughter, too!"