The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 322

Vivienne shot Dorian a frosty glance without uttering a word.

However, Richard was not one to keep his thoughts to himself. "Dorian, if you were so concerned, you should've set Paul straight from the get-go. You didn't utter a single word before. What's holding you back?"

Dorian was left speechless by that blunt comment. With the situation taking a sour turn, Cordelia quickly intervened. "We're outsiders after all. It's not our place to meddle in the Ellingtons' family affairs. We thought that with Percival and Richard on her side, Vivienne surely wouldn't be bullied."

"Really?" Richard responded in a suggestive tone. "I'm tired. I'm off to get some rest. You all can stay a bit longer."

Quick to reject the invitation, Dorian said, "No need. Thank you for your hospitality, Richard. We don't want to overstay our welcome."

Having said that, he naturally wouldn't insist on staying.

Percival slung his arm around Vivienne's shoulder. "I'll walk you out."

Vivienne glanced at him and smiled. "Sure."

Percival was silent throughout the incident, but Vivienne could sense his anger. She knew he was holding back out of respect for Richard. That was the only reason he was refraining from taking action against Paul.

But in the end, he couldn't resist.

That kick certainly did a number on Paul.

Percival and Vivienne led the way, when Dorian and Cordelia awkwardly followed behind them, their expressions subtly changing.

As the dinner progressed, they exposed their true colors.

Vivienne was deliberately testing them, and everyone else was there to watch the drama unfold.

"What do we do now?" Cordelia lowered her voice as she shot Dorian a meaningful glance.

Dorian didn't utter a word. His gaze was fixed on Vivienne, who was just a few feet away.

If he didn't act soon, he feared...

They had reached the courtyard of the Ellington Estate. Percival was about to fetch the car to drive Vivienne and the others home when a figure suddenly emerged from the bushes and lunged at Vivienne. Percival saw a flash of silver in the stranger's hands as he strode forward. His brow instantly furrowed.

"Vivienne! Look out!"

The voice wasn't Percival's but Dorian's, who was trailing behind them. As Percival shielded Vivienne, Dorian lunged forward, tackling the intruder. The stranger swung his knife and slashed Dorian's arm.

Blood spurted out, soaking his shirt.

"Oh my God!"

The sight sent the nearby maid into a panic. Cordelia's legs turned to jelly, making her unable to move forward. "Dorian!"

After Percival gave the signal, the Ellington bodyguards hidden in the shadows emerged and swiftly subdued the stranger.

Within two minutes, the situation was under control.

Percival glanced at Vivienne, who looked calm and composed. He then approached the stranger, his voice steady as he asked, "Who sent you?" The stranger clamped his mouth shut, refusing to speak.

Percival chuckled coldly. "So you don't want to talk? I have a hundred ways to make you squeal."

With a slight flick of his finger, the guards got the message. They bound the man, ready to take him away.

"I want answers." Percival's gaze was like an invisible blade that sliced the man's skin. "Go easy on him."

Death was too easy. He would make that man wish he was never born.

Sometimes the greatest punishment was unbearable suffering.

Whoever dared to harm Vivienne should be prepared for the consequences. He wouldn't let anyone off who had malicious intentions towards Vivienne. "Right away, sir."

The guards respectfully acknowledged Percival's orders, then took the stranger away.

"Dorian! Dorian!" Cordelia was frantically crouching beside Dorian. She was on the verge of tears. "You're bleeding so much!"

Despite his paleness from blood loss, Dorian reassured her. "I'm okay. A little injury won't kill me. As long as Vivienne is safe, everything is okay."

He turned to Vivienne with a bit of guilt etched on his face. "I'm sorry, Vivienne. I couldn't stand up for you when the Ellingtons were picking on you. I guess I'm just no match for the Ellingtons." Vivienne listened to his confession with an impassive face. She only felt annoyed.

Dorian, though lacking ambition, was a decent man. Whenever the Hawthorn or Ellington family tried to bully her, he would stand up for her without hesitation.

Even when it meant leaving the Hawthorn family and losing his job, Dorian never complained. How could such a man utter such self-deprecating words?

She looked at Dorian's wound, which, although bloody, wasn't life-threatening.

She ripped a piece of cloth from her dress and bandaged his wound to stop the bleeding.

"You're hurt. Save your strength."

"Vivienne..." Dorian hadn't expected such a cold response from Vivienne. He had risked his life to protect her, yet she wasn't moved.

"Vivienne, your father really cares about you." Cordelia added as her eyes welled up with tears, "We came to Rivenwood because of you. He wanted to start a perfume business to secure your future, in case the Ellingtons ever mistreated you."

She talked like she and Dorian were saints. It was as if everything they did was for Vivienne's sake, and Vivienne was ungrateful for their efforts.

Percival cut them off with an icy stare. "Cordelia, do you think I can't protect Vivienne?"

Cordelia blinked. "That's not what we meant..."

She awkwardly brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. "We are also Vivienne's family. We're just worried about her."

Dorian deliberately coughed a few times, pretending to be frail. "Percival, I'm all heart but no strength. From now on, Vivienne is in your hands. Please take good care of her, cough cough..."

Vivienne watched them perform their little drama in front of her as the corner of her mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

It was just a minor cut. It barely grazed the skin; it wasn't even touching bone or sinew.

Yet Dorian was acting as if he had contracted a terminal illness. He made it seem like he was barely able to speak.

Percival saw through his act immediately. "Take Mr. Hawthorn to the hospital." He instructed one of the servants.

With that, he opened the passenger door, intending to personally escort her home.

"Vivienne..." Cordelia's tone now sounded a bit resentful. "Your father's been injured. Aren't you coming with us to the hospital?"

"I have other things to do." Vivienne replied indifferently before turning to leave with Percival.

The car rolled out the gates of the Ellington Estate.

Vivienne rested her chin on her hand as she looked out the window with a pensive gaze. "It seems they can't wait any longer."

"Hmm." Percival's deep eyes narrowed. "I've received word that the human experiments conducted by GTO have reached a critical stage. They urgently need the potion."

Vivienne scoffed. "No wonder."

"First, we need to replace Mr. Hawthorn and Cordelia. I've got people on it, so we should hear something soon."

"Hmm." Vivienne nodded.

She should be getting news on her end as well.