The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)
Chapter 704

Kaitlyn blinked, slightly taken aback.

It wasn't that she felt there was anything wrong with Vivienne not repaying the money; after all, when she had helped them, she never expected anything in return.

But now, with Vivienne so earnestly declaring her intentions, Kaitlyn couldn't help but think Vivienne still looked down on them.

Pressing her lips together, Kaitlyn said, "I never wanted anything in return when I helped you back then."

Vivienne glanced at her and remained silent.

Then, pulling out her smartphone, Vivienne dialed a number, "Send over three cars. I'll text you the address."

Hearing this, Kaitlyn's face fell, "Ms. Hawthorn, what are you trying to do?"

Vivienne pocketed her phone. "I'm moving you to another place."

Clutching Amelia tightly to her, Kaitlyn eyed Vivienne with hostility, "Ms. Hawthorn, I've done nothing to offend you. Twelve years ago, I helped you. Why are you making things difficult for me now?" Sadie and Julian, overhearing the conversation, quickly joined her side, glaring at Vivienne defensively.

Her husband, glaring helplessly at Vivienne, could only fret.

"Making things difficult for you?" Vivienne echoed, a hint of something crossing her mind.

"Sorry, I should have been clearer. I don't intend to repay the money; instead, I want to arrange a new place for you to live. This place is too cramped; it's not suitable for you."

Kaitlyn felt embarrassed, "I'm sorry, I thought you were..."

After years of being targeted by others, her mind jumped to the worst conclusion when Vivienne mentioned moving them.

Vivienne explained, "It's fine. I have a villa in Rivenwood that I've never lived in. You can stay there, and once you're settled, I'll transfer the deed to you."

The villa was a gift from Jasper. She had tried to refuse it, but the old man insisted, and she had no choice but to accept.

Initially, she had planned to buy a new place, but given Kaitlyn's current situation, purchasing a new house would take at least a few days, and this place was unbearable for even a day longer. She couldn't stand to see her benefactor living like this.

"No, no!" Kaitlyn immediately protested, "I only helped you a little back then; I can't accept such a large favor." Kaitlyn's in-laws also hurriedly chimed in, "Yes, young lady, we appreciate your kindness, but we're fine here."

They understood the principle of not accepting a reward without merit.

Although Kaitlyn had helped the young woman before them years ago, accepting a villa in return was far too much.

"You can accept it," Vivienne insisted seriously. "If it weren't for your help back then, I don't know if my mother and I would have made it. Please don't refuse."

Kaitlyn sighed softly. "You're a good person for wanting to repay kindness, but I really can't take the villa, not to mention the expensive monthly maintenance fees we can't afford. Even if we moved in, we wouldn't be able to keep it."

Vivienne's gaze sharpened, "Is someone in Rivenwood giving you trouble?"

She had initially disregarded the rumors Cordelia mentioned because she didn't know Kaitlyn was her benefactor from years ago. Now, she realized Kaitlyn's family's current plight must be due to someone stirring up trouble.

Kaitlyn's eyes lowered. "I mistakenly trusted the wrong person. Ms. Hawthorn, I'm grateful you remember the past and want to repay me, but I truly can't accept it. Right now, I just hope my family can stay alive."

"Who is it?" Vivienne asked sternly.

"Please don't ask. They... they're not people we can afford to offend," Kaitlyn said, her voice laced with dejection.

Before Vivienne could respond, a mocking voice rang from outside, "Oh, Kaitlyn, you've got visitors? I'm surprised anyone would bother with your door, given how down and out you've become."

Kaitlyn's face drained of color as she hurried outside. Seeing the newcomer, her face twisted with anger, "Victoria Abernathy, I've paid you back. What more do you want?"

Vivienne turned to see a woman in her thirties, flanked by several bodyguards, looking smug.

"Oh, I'm just here to see if you're still kicking after selling your blood to repay me. I might have to pick up your corpse!"

At this, Kaitlyn's in-laws turned pale. "Kaitlyn, you sold your blood?"

Kaitlyn took Sadie's hand, addressing her in-laws, "Mom, Dad, I had no choice but to sell my blood. I can't make half a million a week by just working."

"You foolish child, half a million - how much blood would you have to sell? Are you trying to kill yourself?" Sadie burst into tears. "What did our family do to deserve this? When will the heavens look down upon us and put an end to our suffering?"

Kaitlyn reassured her, "It's okay. I just need to rest a bit. But for the next few days, I'll need you and Dad to take care of Tyler."

Sadie replied, "We are family; there's no trouble. But you, you can't go back to work anytime soon. You need to rest."

Victoria, hands crossed over her chest, looked down her nose at them. "Even in these circumstances, you still protect this jinx?"

Kaitlyn whirled around to stare her down. "Please leave our home. You are not welcome here!"

"You think I want to be in this dump?" Victoria said, pinching her nose in disgust. "I wouldn't bother if not for the secret recipe in your hands."

Kaitlyn snapped back, "I've told you, I'd rather die than give you the recipe!"

"Kaitlyn, don't be ungrateful. The Littleton family has fallen. The recipe is useless in your hands. What kind of life have you had all these years? Give it to me, and not only will you get half a million, but you could also have a decent place to live and maybe even replace a respectable job. Tell me, what good does opposing me do for you?"

Kaitlyn's heart clenched as memories flooded through her mind, a painful reminder of her turbulent past. She glared at Victoria with a mix of anger and regret. "I was young and foolish then, ignored my parents advice, put my trust in Harrison Schram. Not only did I bring ruin upon my family, but even in death, they can't replace peace. Victoria, what goes around comes around. You won't get away with this."

Victoria let out a mocking laugh. "You think the Almighty's keeping score? If that were true, would you still be at my mercy?"

Taking two steps forward, Victoria closed the gap between them to just an arm's length. "Hand over the secret recipe, and maybe your life will be a bit easier from here on out. Otherwise, mark my words, your troubles have only just begun."

"Over my dead body!" Kaitlyn hissed through clenched teeth.

Victoria's smile was twisted with malice. "Think withholding the recipe will save you? I'm curious to see how much blood you'll have to sell next time to get out of trouble."

Her gaze slid to Sadie and Julian, standing behind Kaitlyn, and her lips curled up in a sinister smirk. "Your husband's already bedridden. Imagine how much more 'fun' your life would be if your in-laws joined him."

Kaitlyn instinctively shielded Sadie and Julian behind her. "Target me all you want, but leave them out of this!"

"Target you? What's the fun in that? Your heart's as hard as iron. Even with your husband crippled, you refuse to give in. Let's see how you like it when your stubbornness leaves your whole family bedridden." At Victoria's subtle cue, her henchmen moved in to grab Sadie and Julian.

But just as one of the goons reached out to touch Kaitlyn's in-laws, his wrist was seized in a vice-like grip, followed by a voice as cold as the grave, "Feeling immortal, are we? Or just itching to meet your maker?"