The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 244

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit tense.

At this point, Eddy looked at Calista and asked, "Calista, you're interested in gemstones too?"

"A bit." Calista replied modestly with a smile. "My grandfather loved it, so I used to accompany him to various gemstone markets and private auctions. I often watched him bid on precious gemstones."

"I'm also very interested." Eddy finally found a common topic with Calista, and he laughed heartily. "I once went to the Mirelia Continent mine to buy raw gemstones with someone and watched how the workers picked and washed the stones."

"Why don't we accompany Aunt Paula to check it out this afternoon?" Calista suggested. "My friend's private auction not only has raw stones with windows open but also ones without windows, for guests who are interested in trying their luck."

"Sounds great." Eddy agreed enthusiastically.

"I'd like to go too, Calista. You wouldn't mind bringing me along, right?" Carl chimed in.

"I'm going too; I'm going too." Ashley added, stealing a glance at the Peach Blossom bracelet on Vivienne's wrist.

Wasn't Grandma always saying she wasn't biased?

Then she would go to the gemstone auction and pick a good raw material herself, have someone make a bracelet out of it, and let Judith pay for it. That wouldn't be too much, would it?

So she turned to Judith with a smile. "Grandma, you haven't given me a graduation gift yet. If I run out of pocket money and replace something I like, can you reimburse me?"

"Ashley!" Melissa frowned. "If you want something, your parents will buy it for you."

"Alright, I'll reimburse you." Judith saw through Ashley's little scheme, but in order to maintain harmony among the younger generation, she couldn't play favorites.

Ashley was someone she watched grow up, and she believed Ashley wouldn't intentionally pick something overly expensive just to overshadow Vivienne.

"Thank you, Grandma." Ashley immediately broke into a happy smile.

One by one, everyone said they wanted to go.

"Vivienne, why don't you come with us?" Calista took the opportunity to invite Vivienne. "You've probably never been to a gemstone market or private auction before, so why not broaden your horizons? You might replace something you like. Your grandma will certainly gift it to you."

This was a clear slight at Vivienne's lack of experience and taste.

Vivienne leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms while sizing up Calista. Then, the corners of her lips turned up slightly, and her eyes twinkled. "Sure, let's go."

She had been thinking about buying some gemstones recently anyway.

But now that someone was stirring the pot, she decided to tag along and see what was up. Just as well, she felt like asserting herself again.

"Vivienne, Calista's right. If you see something you like, just buy it. Grandma will reimburse you." Judith caught the undertone of what Calista said and quickly backed Vivienne up.

"Dad will reimburse you too." Scott added. He pulled out a share transfer agreement. "This is my gift to you. I'm transferring 10% of my shares in the Brooks Group to you. You can buy whatever you want." Everyone at the table, except for Judith, gasped. Ten percent of the Brooks Group was worth billions. The annual dividends alone were beyond what most people could earn in ten years.

"Big brother is really generous!" Paula's eyes were filled with envy. Every time she thought about her missing daughter, she couldn't bear to see Scott's daughter receiving such a wonderful gift. However, the shares were Scott's to give, and even though Paula was green with envy, she couldn't say a word.

Only Mila's expression faltered slightly. Her gaze was icy-cold as she glanced at Vivienne.

Vivienne casually accepted the agreement. Though ten percent of the Brooks Group was only a drop in the bucket compared to her own assets, she took it without hesitation. After all, this was what Scott owed her and her mother.

She glanced up, catching Mila's chilly gaze before it quickly shifted away, as if it were just a figment of her imagination.

In the end, all the younger members of the Brooks family decided to go to the gemstone auction in River Village. The older generation wasn't interested; only Paula and Mila decided to go.

Ronald, the eldest of the younger generation, wasn't initially interested in the auction. But because Paula harbored ill feelings towards Vivienne, he decided to go along to ensure Vivienne wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

Just as everyone was about to leave, a young man with silver hair, wearing oversized sunglasses, and dressed flamboyantly like a peacock, strolled into the Brooks Mansion with a suitcase while humming a tune. "I'm back!"

As he took off his sunglasses, ready to charm everyone, Melissa rushed over and grabbed his ear. "Didn't you say your flight was landing at nine? Why are you only back now? Where did you gallivant off to?" "Mom, mom, let go!" Darren grimaced in pain as he tilted his head and bent over. "I'm a super popular star now. Fans recognize me everywhere. Where could I possibly go?"

Cassie, watching from the side, couldn't help but laugh while also instructing someone to take Darren's luggage upstairs.

Melissa and Paula, despite being married, were still close to the Brooks family and often came back to stay. Their children also had their own rooms in the Brooks Mansion. "Who would recognize you?" Melissa scolded him a few times before letting go and pointing at Vivienne, who was standing next to Ronald. "This is your cousin Vivienne." Darren was about to flash what he considered a charming grin at Vivienne, but his eyes widened in shock as he got a good look at her face. He pointed at her, stammering, "Vi..." Vivienne cast him a glance. Her expression was a mix of amusement and indifference.

Darren, feeling a rush of adrenaline, called out in a high-pitched voice, "What are you doing here?"

His voice was so sharp that it almost broke.

Melissa threw him a puzzled look. "You know each other?"

Darren was about to respond when he caught Vivienne's gaze. It was the same strange look from years ago that sent a shiver down his spine. "No, we don't!"

Melissa, feeling slightly annoyed, slapped him lightly. "If you don't know her, why are you so worked up? Go say hello now!"

Darren's voice suddenly took a turn. "Nice to see you, my little cousin."

"Just 'cousin' is fine! Why add 'little'?" Melissa scolded him while giving him a light punch. "Don't use your flippant attitude on your cousin!"

"How am I flippant?!" Darren defended himself. He was starting to feel like he was being bullied. "I just got back, and you're already nagging and picking on me. Maybe I shouldn't have come back at all." "Perfect! Your cousins are going to a gemstone auction held by one of Calista's friends. You should accompany them and take care of your cousin Vivienne since she is new here." Melissa instructed Darren.