The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 343

Hearing the news, William's heart was filled with excitement.

Professor James was the most prestigious scholar at Elite University, known for his philanthropy and generous support for underprivileged students. Living under his influence, the people he loved and his son would definitely be of good character as well.

He quickly turned to Vivienne, "Ma'am, can you take me to meet them?"

He was hesitant to show up uninvited, fearing it could startle them.

He knew that Professor James had been Vivienne's teacher at Elite University, which would surely smooth the way for their reconciliation.

"Go back and rest. I'll replace you after I've sorted things out here," Vivienne replied.

Casting a glance at Mila and Calista, William's face fell. "Alright."

Did they think that getting on Vivienne's bad side would only result in a minor injury? They really underestimated Vivienne!

Once William left, the Brooks household returned to its usual calm.

The younger generation exchanged glances, hesitant to speak.

Judith was so angry that she clutched at her chest, struggling to catch her breath.

Scott wore a cold expression, exuding an aura that was chilling and devouring.

The tension hung heavy in the air.

Seeing that the Brooks family remained silent, Mila finally spoke, "I had intended to keep this secret forever, but now that Vivienne has exposed it, it's time to settle things."

Mila looked straight at Scott, "You don't have to marry me, Scott, but you must acknowledge Calista! My mistakes have nothing to do with her. She shouldn't pay for what I've done!

After today, all of Rivenwood will know that Calista is your daughter, which will bring dire effect to her reputation. If you disown her, it will ruin her life. You may be ruthless, Scott, but please, for the sake of our child, handle this matter responsibly."

Calista lay on the floor, utterly dumbfounded.

How could things have spiraled so out of control?

But for her, this was a good thing.

What mattered to her was not prestige or honor.

What mattered was having a social status that matched that of Percival's!

Only the heiress of the Brooks family could match the pedigree of the Ellington family!

"What a joke!" Kala retorted angrily. "Why should the Brooks family pay for your mistakes? Everyone in Rivenwood knows that Scott has always held Karen in his heart. If he acknowledges this girl as his daughter, that would put stigma on him."

She never liked Mila and her daughter.

But now, not only did she have to put up with them, they were actually trying to be acknowledged as part of the Brooks family?

This was just cramping her style.

And she really liked Vivienne.

She loathed Arabella when Scott mistakenly acknowledged her, and she hated Calista even more.

Vivienne was the only one she wanted to protect. She wouldn't let Calista come back and cause trouble for Vivienne.

"Kala! Watch your words!" Timothy, who had been silent until now, suddenly intervened.

They had no right to interfere with this matter.

The decision was ultimately up to Scott.

Kala wanted to argue, but she held her tongue on seeing Scott's stern expression.

"I will not acknowledge Calista!" Scott looked coldly at Mila and her daughter and said in an indifferent tone.

Although Mila had expected this outcome, she still felt a pang of sadness.

Scott was as cold and heartless as ever.

Even if she gave birth to his daughter, who was a girl of exceptional character, he was still too heartless to acknowledge her.

Calista looked up at Scott in disbelief. She never thought that he would refuse to acknowledge her.

"Why won't you acknowledge me?" Calista asked, staring into Scott's eyes. "I am your daughter and you should acknowledge me. Whatever happened between you and my mother, it's not my fault! Why should I be dragged into your adult affairs?"

Her voice grew louder and more emotional as she spoke, "Soon everyone will know that I'm not a Pendleton. What will people think of me if you refuse to acknowledge me?"

Scott listened to her accusations without showing any emotion.

"Dad!"

At that moment, Tristan appeared at the Brooks Mansion.

He was in a wheelchair and Ronald pushed him in.

Scott frowned when he saw him, "What are you doing here? I thought I told you to rest."

Tristan gave a bitter smile, "I'm already like this; resting won't do me any good. I heard there was trouble at home so I asked cousin Ronald to bring me back."

He could get off bed under Calista's treatment but he could just walk a few steps. Most of the time he was confined to bed.

Tristan glanced at Vivienne, then at Calista. After a moment of silence, he spoke up, "Dad, I admit that this is an eerie situation, but it's not Calista's fault. You can't let her bear the brunt of the scandal." Scott frowned, "You don't need to worry about this."

Because of Karen, Scott had always been partial to Tristan.

But Tristan had offended Vivienne several times and suffered for it. So he had been disappointed in Tristan.

Now that Tristan was trying to meddle in this matter, Scott was not pleased.

Tristan lowered his gaze, "I know I'm just an adopted son and I shouldn't interfere. But...I love Calista! I want to marry her!"

"What?!" Scott was shocked!

Judith and the rest of the Brooks family were also stunned.

Even Mila and her daughter were unable to process the situation for some time.

Vivienne was the only one who remained unfazed. She looked at them indifferently with a faintly raised eyebrow.

Without further ado, Tristan struggled to get off his wheelchair, knelt on the floor, and pleaded earnestly, "Dad, for the sake of my mom, please grant me this wish. I can give up the status of being the Brooks family's adopted son. I just want to marry Calista!"

The 'mom' he mentioned was Karen!

Karen was his savior, but after being adopted by Scott, he also started to call her mom.

Calista was taken aback for a while before she could react. She looked at Tristan with disdain.

Was that cripple adopted son really dreaming of marrying her?

That was just ludicrous!

But she knew that although Tristan was an adopted son, he held a significant place in Scott's heart. If Scott agreed to Tristan's request, she could easily weasel her way back into the Brooks family. Once she became the lady of the Brooks family, it would be a piece of cake to ruin her marriage with Tristan.

With this in mind, she looked up at Scott, "I like Tristan, too!"

"What the hell???" Kala exclaimed in shock.

Calista liked Tristan?

Was this some kind of joke?

This woman, who was always aiming for the stars, was set on marrying Percival. And how came that now she wanted to marry Tristan?

"You..." Scott was so angry that his chest hurt. He looked at Tristan and Calista and was unable to utter a word.

The atmosphere was tense for a long time until Scott sighed, "Fine! Children's debts are paid by their parents. Tomorrow, I will make an announcement recognizing Calista's identity, but Mila, you can forget about ever marrying into the Brooks family!"