The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 336

Vivienne's intention to hire a private tutor for Thaddeus soon caught Judith's attention.

She promptly came over and volunteered enthusiastically. "Vivienne, I heard you're looking for a tutor for Thaddeus so he can have lessons at home. Why don't you let me handle it?"

Although Thaddeus being kidnapped wasn't her doing, it was still linked to her nonetheless.

She, as Paula's mother, couldn't pretend that the havoc she had caused didn't happen.

"That's not necessary!" Vivienne refused outright.

If she had felt a bit of fondness for Judith before, she certainly wouldn't show her true feelings now.

"If it weren't for Paula's foolishness and the mess she made, Thaddeus wouldn't have been traumatized." Judith sighed and continued, "Every time I think about it, I feel terrible. Let me make amends by replaceing a tutor for Thaddeus."

Despite Judith's sincerity, Vivienne remained unmoved. "Judith, I can handle my brother's matters. The Brooks family need not concern themselves."

Judith stiffened when she heard Vivienne address her like this.

Vivienne used to call her 'grandma.'

Now, she wouldn't even use that term.

It seemed that Paula's actions had deeply hurt her.

Judith sighed. "Vivienne, I know you bear a grudge against me and against the Brooks family, but I sincerely want to do something for you. Finding a tutor is a small matter. I promise to replace a reliable teacher fo Thaddeus."

After a pause, Judith continued, "I noticed you've been coming home late recently, so I assume you're quite busy. I also heard your foster parents are starting a company, and you're probably helping them. Let me handle these small matters."

The foster parents she mentioned were actually Rowan and Ismene.

She didn't know their charade, so seeing them frequently coming and going, she knew about their plans to start a company.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes. Indeed, she had been quite busy lately. Selecting a tutor required careful screening and interviews. Regardless of other factors, the Brooks family should be able to handle this well.

After a moment of silence, Vivienne nodded. "Alright, thank you."

"Don't worry." Judith patted her hand with a smile. "I will replace the most suitable tutor for Thaddeus. I will make sure he doesn't fall behind in his studies!"

While they were talking, a servant came to knock on the door.

"What is it?" Judith asked.

"Miss Pendleton is here. She wishes to see you." The servant quickly reported.

Miss Pendleton?

Vivienne raised an eyebrow. Calista was like a bad penny.

Was she trying to make her anxious to give her some entertainment?

Judith could tell Vivienne didn't particularly like Calista, but she was a guest and a close friend of the family. They couldn't turn her away, so she signaled the servant to let her in.

The servant nodded and left.

Soon, she brought Calista in.

As soon as Calista entered the living room, she saw Judith and Vivienne sitting there.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she smiled. "Judith, Vivienne."

Her visit wasn't for anything else but to inquire about Vivienne's situation.

The last time she ran into Vivienne near the research institution, she couldn't figure out why she was there and was even more envious that Percival was there to pick her up.

Vivienne glanced at her indifferently without saying a word.

Judith nodded and smiled. "What brings you here today?"

"Nothing in particular." Calista sat down elegantly, putting on a perfect performance in front of the elderly lady. "Just that something happened between Vivienne and me before. I felt guilty and wanted to invite Vivienne for a meal as an apology."

Without even lifting her eyes, Vivienne said indifferently, "No."

"I understand there were many misunderstandings between us, which might have upset Vivienne." Upon seeing Vivienne's cold expression, Calista quickly put on an apologetic face. "I don't want our misunderstandings to pile up, so it's better to clear them sooner."

"The Pendleton family and the Brooks family are both distinguished families in Rivenwood. We always run into each other. Why make things unpleasant?"

She ended up making Vivienne sound like the unreasonable one.

Vivienne glanced at Calista sitting and sneered. "Are you worthy enough to have a meal with me?"

With that, she got up and left, leaving a stunned Calista behind.

Calista clenched her fists in fury. She never expected Vivienne to be so defiant in front of Judith.

She had politely invited her for a meal, but Vivienne didn't even consider it. She outright refused.

She acted as if Calista were some kind of pest, like just a touch would make her uncomfortable.

"A lot happened recently. Vivienne may not be in a good mood." Sensing Calista's displeasure, Judith tried to defuse the situation. "Don't take it to heart. Vivienne didn't mean any harm." "Judith, I don't mind." Calista's smile was quite strained.

Why?

What gave Vivienne the right to be cherished by both Percival and Judith?!

The more she thought about it, the more she didn't understand, causing her resentment to grow.

Judith didn't notice the expression on Calista's face. She turned to the maid beside her and said, "I want you to replace the best private tutor in town. Someone with pristine credentials and a spotless background. want nothing but the best, and I want it quickly. Don't delay!"

The maid nodded and left immediately.

Upon hearing this, Calista asked, "Judith, how come you suddenly thought of hiring a private tutor?"

Judith didn't think it was a secret that she needed to hire a tutor for Thaddeus. "Vivienne is thinking about getting a tutor for her little brother."

Vivienne's little brother?

Calista had heard that Vivienne had a little brother, and he was currently living with the Brooks family.

Wasn't this a golden opportunity?

If she could become Thaddeus' tutor, she could legitimately come and go from the Brooks household and interact more with Judith and Baron.

She didn't particularly care about her relationship with the Brooks family, but she was aware of the ties between the older generations.

If she could win the favor of Baron and Judith, her mother could easily marry into the Brooks family, and with the connection of the Brooks family, marrying Percival would be a breeze.

With that thought, Calista chimed in. "Judith, I actually have some free time lately, so I could help him catch up on his studies."

"You?" Judith was taken aback.

Calista came from a medical family and was currently working at a research institute. Where did she replace the time to tutor a child?

Calista explained with a smile, "Judith, there's some misunderstanding between me and Vivienne. I thought this might be a good opportunity to ease our relationship. You wouldn't want us to act like enemies every time we meet, would you? We're all from the same social circle, after all, and our families interact regularly. This hostility isn't good for either of us."

Judith could somewhat see through Calista's little scheme, and although she was aware that Calista was trying to marry her mother off to Scott, she couldn't deny that Calista would indeed make an excellent tutor. Her credentials were top-notch. She was among the elite nationwide.

After much thought, Judith agreed. "Alright, if you're willing, then I'll have to trouble you. Thaddeus is a child of the Brooks family, and I hope he can learn well, so he won't let Vivienne down."

Calista's lips curled up in a smile as she replied, "Leave it to me. You won't be disappointed."