The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 264

Cathy was all riled up, but Richard wasn't inclined to continue arguing with her.

He turned to Heloise. "And then there's your eldest son. He spends all his days obsessing over his paintings. I've offered him a chance to gain experience in the company, but he stubbornly refuses. Your daughter, Fiona, on the other hand, works her heart out for the company. And what has she received in return?"

Heloise raised an eyebrow, choosing to remain silent.

"Just the other day, her jewelry studio needed more materials but was short on funds. Do you think the 5 million I gave her was coughed up by a dog?"

Heloise remained silent. Her gaze was unfathomable.

How could 5 million compare to 30 million?

"You lot turn your noses up at Percival, but do you realize that the wealth you enjoy is all thanks to him?" Richard stated.

"What?" Ryan and Cathy's faces were a picture of disbelief.

Heloise was equally shocked as her gaze subconsciously landed on Richard.

Even Cecilia seemed to be temporarily dumbfounded.

Only Nathan appeared unsurprised.

After a moment, Cathy found her voice. "How is that possible? Ever since his accident, he's been idle. He doesn't even know how to read the company's reports. How could he have brought us wealth?" "Humph!" Richard scoffed. "That's because you're both ignorant and dull. Percival has been involved in the company's affairs for a decade, and it was largely thanks to him that the company survived through its toughest times. Without him, do you really think you'd be living the life you are now?"

Cathy and Heloise fell silent.

Percival was a good-for-nothing. They'd never believe such news out of the blue.

But given Richard's earnestness, they found themselves having to reconsider the way they thought of Percival.

Heloise stayed silent, but Cathy was unable to let Vivienne off so easily.

Why was it that when Percival's fiancée arrived, Richard could do nothing but sing her praises, but when her son, Paul, brought a girlfriend home, Richard found fault with everything about her?

With this thought, Cathy continued to voice her frustration. "The 30 million is spent, so we, the Ellingtons, should at least have a share of the stone."

"Why? It was through her own skill that she found the gemstone, so why should she share it with you? You think you're something special because you're a Ellingtons? So what? Who do you think you are?" Richard glared at her.

Vivienne finally couldn't help but laugh.

Richard turned to her as a smile played on his lips. "Did you enjoy Grandpa's joke?"

Vivienne grinned. "Not bad at all!"

Anyone who could casually insult the entire Ellington family deserved respect.

"Paul's mother's last name isn't Ellington." Vivienne pointed out seriously.

Although Cathy was Ryan's wife, she still had her own last name.

"Exactly. Why is she demanding a share of your wealth on behalf of the Ellington family?"

Vivienne thought about it and found herself agreeing with Richard.

While watching Richard and Vivienne banter, Cathy felt ignored and disrespected. Her anger was almost palpable.

"She's just a young girl, without money or influence, and yet she buys such expensive gifts for you and Cecilia. It's obvious she's using Percival's money," Cathy insisted. She was determined to have Vivienne part with the gemstone.

Paul chimed in. "Exactly, Grandpa. She used our family's money to get that precious stone. Now the money's gone, and she's not willing to give us the stone. It's clear she's also using Percival's money to buy gifts. If this continues, this little girl will ruin our family."

Percival glanced at Paul and spoke in a calm and steady tone. "Vivienne paid for the stone. Did you not hear? If you're having trouble understanding, maybe you should seek medical help. If you can't replace a doctor, let me know. I can help."

He shrugged carelessly as he continued to humiliate his cousin. "A psychiatric hospital might be a good fit for you. Need me to give you a ride?"

"Percival! You!" Paul jumped up, feeling utterly infuriated. "You're the one who's insane!"

Cecilia's face darkened. "Who are you calling insane?"

Paul stiffened and looked up. He saw Cecilia and Richard's faces turn an icy blue, so he quickly added. "We all know what Vivienne is. She's a country bumpkin from lowly origins. How could she possibly afford 30 million?"

"Huh?" Percival smirked. "She's from lowly origins?"

His gaze hardened, and a cold glint appeared in his eyes. "The Brooks family's daughter is from lowly origins?"

Paul was taken aback. He was failing to grasp the meaning of Percival's statement.

Cathy was also taken by surprise. "The Brooks family's daughter?"

News of Vivienne's return to the Brooks family hadn't spread widely yet.

When Paula had called her, she hadn't mentioned that Vivienne was the daughter of the Brooks family, so Cathy was unaware of Vivienne's true identity.

She had always assumed Vivienne was a country bumpkin.

The first to catch on was Paul. "Are you saying Vivienne is Scott Brooks' daughter?"

Percival lifted his gaze and looked at him coolly, but remained silent.

Paul suddenly remembered what Arabella had told him.

The Brooks family had always suspected that Arabella wasn't Scott's biological daughter and had secretly conducted three DNA tests.

And indeed, it was confirmed that Arabella wasn't Scott's daughter.

So Scott's real daughter... was Vivienne.

Paul's face turned a distinct shade of green.

He had been so eager to please Arabella. He was even willing to accept her unborn child, whose father was unknown.

He had even provoked Vivienne for Arabella's sake.

Who would have thought that Vivienne was Scott's daughter?!

And she was already engaged to Percival.

He was losing in the game of power against Percival, and now, with the powerful backing of the Brooks family, he was completely hopeless.

His face darkened. He absolutely couldn't let Vivienne and Percival get married!

The faces of the Ellington family were quite a spectacle.

Nobody could have imagined that Vivienne would be the young miss of the Brooks family. The Brooks family might not be as affluent as the Ellingtons, but they could easily pull out 30 million dollars. Richard gave them a glance and asked nonchalantly, "Are you done flaunting your superiority?"

The room fell silent.

Richard sipped his water, then said seriously, "I don't want anyone targeting Vivienne in this house. If anyone dares to bother her again, don't blame me for not being merciful."

Cathy was not willing to back down, but having been in the Ellington family for so many years, she could tell that Richard was angry.

If she said anything more at this point, the old man would mercilessly kick her out without hesitation.

She wasn't in a hurry. There was plenty of time.

Vivienne could be a country girl, but she couldn't be the young miss of the Brooks family, and she certainly couldn't marry Percival under the title of the Brooks family's young miss. With that, they would have no hope at all.

She wanted to see if Vivienne and Percival could really end up together.

Seeing that no one else was speaking, Richard finally turned to Vivienne. "Vivienne, if someone bothers you in the future, just come and tell me."

Vivienne smiled faintly. "Alright."