The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Vivienne arched one eyebrow as she silently fixed her gaze on Paul.

After a while, she finally spoke. "Are you out of your mind?"

Paul was at a loss for words.

Oh, for the love of God!

After such a heartfelt apology, that was all she could say?

He cleared his throat and continued. "I'm genuinely sorry, Vivienne." Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"Oh." That was all Vivienne said.

Paul was frustrated. Was that all she had to say?

She was like a clam that wouldn't open. Couldn’t she even spare him a peep?

He took a deep breath, sat on the stone bench across from Vivienne, and said, "Vivienne, have you

ever considered your and Percival’s future?"

Vivienne glanced at him. "What are you trying to say?"

"The truth is that I've liked you from the moment I first saw you. I'm just not good at expressing my

feelings. I wanted to get your attention, but I didn't know how to make you see me differently, which led

to some misunderstandings between us."

Vivienne fell silent.

Could he be any more insincere?

Unfazed, Paul continued. "I know I may sound fake right now, but time will prove my sincerity. Vivienne,

I hope you'll give me a chance to prove my love for you."

"Oh?" Vivienne looked at him. She was smiling, but it was not quite genuine. "And how would you do

that?"

After some thought, Paul said, "To prove my love for you, I'm willing to give you all my wealth."

"How much wealth do you have?" Vivienne asked.

"About a hundred million." Paul said.

The financial authority of the Ellington family was in the hands of the patriarch. With his monthly

dividends and the profits from his own business ventures, he had about half a billion at hand.

Of course, he wasn't going to give all his money to Vivienne.

"Though I only have a hundred million, my love for you remains unchanged, Vivienne. Consider this.

Percival is the seventh in line in our family. Despite being the designated heir, he lacks the ability to

lead. Our family will only decline under his leadership. If you stay with him, you won't have a good life."

"But it will be different with me. I am the eldest grandchild and have the ability to lead. As long as you

join forces with me, we can take over the Ellington family. Then, you will be the mistress of the Ellington

family, with the power to command the wind and rain. I promise you that I'll do my best to fulfill your

every desire."

Vivienne laughed. "And you think you can buy me with a hundred million?"

"How much do you want then?" Paul asked, frowning.

This woman was truly greedy.

Indeed, those raised in the countryside, like her, have low aspirations. They only saw money.

If it weren't for his unwillingness to let the daughter of Scott Brooks fall into Percival's hands, he

wouldn't have taken such drastic measures.

"A billion."

The Nine Mystics Society and the Institute needed a large amount of funding. Taking a billion from Paul

wouldn't be too bad.

But he looked so poor. He probably couldn't afford a billion.

As expected, in the next second, Paul's eyes widened, and he shouted angrily. "A billion?! Are you

trying to rob me?! Vivienne, don't think that just because you're the Brooks heir, you can name any

price! I'm offering you a hundred million because I respect you. The Ellington family will eventually be

mine. If you're wise, you'll break off your engagement with Percival and be with me. If you're not…"

"What then?" Vivienne asked, her tone now even more indifferent than before.

Paul gritted his teeth and looked at her. Suddenly, he shouted, "Help! Vivienne is trying to seduce me!

Someone, help!"

Vivienne was dumbfounded.

While tearing at his own clothes, Paul ran towards the main hall. "Grandpa! Come quick! Vivienne's

gone mad! She's trying to undress me and sleep with me!"

For God's sake!

What an idiot!

Paul's voice was loud and alarmed the entire Ellington family.

Richard and Cecilia were the first to appear.

Upon seeing the scene, Richard asked sternly, "Paul, what are you up to now?"

Paul rushed over and knelt before his grandfather. "Grandpa! You have to stand up for me! Vivienne!

She tried to seduce me! Look at what she did to my clothes! And my body! It's all scratched up!"

Percival, who had just come downstairs due to the commotion, heard what Paul said. His face instantly

darkened, and a cold aura radiated from him.

Richard looked down to see that several buttons on Paul's shirt had been torn off, and there were

indeed fresh scratches on his body.

Before he could say anything, Cathy suddenly yelled, "Oh my God! How did you get scratched up like

this?! Vivienne, you're a lady! How could you try to seduce my son in broad daylight?! Is this how the

Brooks family educates their children?!"

Heloise wore a look of amusement. "Wow! Who would've thought that Vivienne would be so bold?

She’s so eager to get intimate with others in her fiancé's house."

"Shut up!" Richard, in his fury, swung his cane at Paul. "You scoundrel! How dare you slander

Vivienne? I'll beat you to death!"

The patriarch didn't hold back, and Paul was immediately yelping in pain.

As he dodged, he yelled, "Grandpa! You're confused! It was clearly Vivienne who seduced me, but

you're not helping me?! Instead, you're beating me?! Vivienne is a cheap woman, but you all treat her

like a treasure!"

Percival looked at him with a dark expression. His eyes were as cold and penetrating as death himself.

Upon seeing this, Cathy quickly stepped in front of Paul. "Dad! It's no secret that you play favorites, but

this is going too far! I could stomach it when you scolded Paul before, but today it’s clearly Vivienne

who's at fault. Instead of correcting her, you're taking it out on Paul? What kind of grandfather behaves

like this?"

"And you dare talk back?" Richard, seething with anger, raised his walking stick once more, this time

aiming at both Cathy and Paul. "Vivienne seducing Paul? Are you mistaken about Vivienne's taste? Is

Paul better looking than Percival or wealthier? Does he even deserve Vivienne's attention?

You all lack self-awareness, and yet you dare to slander others? Even Vivienne wouldn't glance twice

at the likes of you. I wouldn't either! What about you could possibly attract anyone's attention?!

You think I can't swing my stick anymore, don't you?! Today, I'll show you whether this old man can still

teach you a lesson!"

Cathy could do nothing but cry out.

Ryan, who had been watching the spectacle unfold, finally spoke up. "Dad! This situation is hard for

everyone, but you can't just start hitting people without understanding what happened. There are

guests in the house, and you're humiliating my son and wife in front of everyone. How are we

supposed to face people after this?"

"Fine! You want a clear explanation? I'll give you one." Richard turned to Vivienne. "Vivienne, can you

tell us what just happened?"