The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 434

The research data from the TCL Labs had been recovered, but Calista was MIA, and still, the experiments had to go on. This place had become too hot to handle. The GTO had discovered their location, and who knew what Calista might reveal under pressure. There was no choice left but to torch the place.

The ongoing projects in the lab would have to be shelved for the time being.

After Percival and Vivienne stepped out of the lab, they made sure all the researchers were sent to a safe haven while they scouted for a new spot to restart their work.

On the drive back, Vivienne leaned against Percival's shoulder, her gaze heavy with thoughts that were her own.

Percival soothingly stroked her back without a word. He knew better than to interrupt Vivienne when she was deep in thought.

Suddenly, Percival's work phone buzzed with a message.

It was from employees at the Ellington Group.

[Mr. Ellington, Henry is demanding that all of Fiona's shares be transferred to his name.]

Vivienne's eyes narrowed slightly, "Your uncle sure can't sit still."

A cold smirk played on Percival's lips, "A mere jester."

Thomas glanced at the notification on the phone and said, "Percival, Henry has gone to the old family estate. Shall we head back?"

Percival gently pinched Vivienne's cheek, articulating every word, "Vivienne, what do you think?"

Her lips curved into a sly smile, "Of course we're going back. We've got a little surprise for them." "Then let's go!" Percival's eyes twinkled with a mix of mischief and malice.

At the Ellington family estate.

Richard sat at the head of the table, watching his second son and his family wail before him.

"Dad, now that Fiona's been locked up and they won't tell us why, you have to take our side!" Heloise sobbed, her tears not entirely genuine, laced as they were with self-interest. Henry, bandaged and hobbling, chimed in, "Right, Dad, with Fiona in custody, we don't know what the outcome will be. You can't just ignore this."

Jeffrey, not in the best of health himself, was brought in by Henry and Heloise. He half-collapsed on the couch, wailing pitifully.

Heloise let out a howl, "Dad, look at what Percival and Vivienne have reduced our family to. You can't let this go on; we need justice!"

Richard replied coolly, "Isn't it what you deserve?"

Henry looked at his father in disbelief, "Dad, what are you talking about? How can you say we deserve this?"

"Embarrassing Vivienne in public at my birthday bash and making a scene when I was ill. If you don't get a thrashing, who will?" Richard regarded them as if they were fools.

Henry muttered a curse under his breath. He should've known his father would side with Percival. It was clear that words wouldn't work; actions were needed.

Henry, comically adorned with a neck brace, presented a document to his father. "Dad, if you're not going to punish Percival, let's not dwell on it. Just sign this, and we'll be out of your hair." Richard glanced at the document—a share transfer agreement.

They were after Fiona's shares.

"The company matters are Percival's call," Richard said, nonchalantly cleaning his ears.

At that moment, Percival and Vivienne walked in, casting a chilling look at the second family branch of the Ellington family.

"Forget about the shares. All of Fiona's assets are frozen. You won't get a dime," Percival declared, tossing the share agreement into the trash can.

Heloise glared venomously at Percival but didn't dare to approach, hiding behind Henry instead, "Percival, there's a limit to your bullying. By holding onto Fiona's shares, are you trying to make us beggars?" "What's it to me?" Percival retorted indifferently.

Jeffrey, silent throughout, had been recording everything. After a quick edit, the narrative changed entirely.

Soon, a video went viral, causing a stir online.

[Scandal in the Ellington family! Young Master Percival humiliates his uncle in public, forcing their family to beg!]

In Rivenwood, anything connected to the Ellingtons was big news. Percival's image took a hit because of the video.

[Is this high society drama? So wealthy, yet so stingy. Disgusting.]

[What do you mean stingy? It's rightfully the second branch's money. Looks like Percival wants to hoard all the Ellington wealth.] [People can be deceiving. Poor Vivienne, to end up with someone so heartless.]

The internet was abuzz with comments, creating a minor sensation.

Jeffrey, satisfied with the uproar, had gotten the effect he wanted.

Even Percival had to care about his image. A tarnished reputation could affect Ellington Group's stock prices.

Jeffrey thought to himself, "When the time comes, Grandpa will surely rethink his choice of heir!"

The main branch of the Ellington family was now in shambles, relying solely on the cunning of the younger branch of the family.

At that moment, Richard's phone chimed a few times with the rare notification of an email.

Upon opening the email, the initially smiling face turned ashen.

Henry, oblivious to the unfolding drama, continued to press Percival for shares in the business.

But Richard's cane had already swung through the air, striking Henry's arm, which had yet to fully heal, with a resounding thud.

"You ungrateful snake! Betraying your own family, taking kickbacks, and embezzling a small fortune from the company! Did I bring you into this business just to line your pockets?" Startled, Henry glanced at his own inbox to replace an email brimming with evidence of his corruption and bribery.

"Dad, let me explain, it's not what it looks like..." he started.

But before he could finish, agents from the Internal Revenue Service were at the Ellington's grand entrance.

"Henry Ellington, I presume? Someone's reported you for tax evasion. Please come with us."

Heloise was completely baffled, clueless about the situation at hand.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey discovered that an unedited video of him had surfaced online. It was the raw footage he had just recorded.

The video laid bare Henry and Heloise's greedy facades for all to see.

Jeffrey looked up just in time to see Vivienne giving her phone a little shake his direction.

What goes around comes around, after all.