The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Ronald hastily handed his phone to Paula as if it were a ticking bomb, not wanting to hold it for even a

second longer.

Paula, puzzled, took the phone, only to get an earful of Baron's fury. "Are you out of your mind?! If

you've got nothing better to do, stay at your own place! If you dare upset Vivienne again and get Old

Richard on my case, don't even think about stepping foot in our mansion again!"

Paula's face turned ashen with fury, but she could not retaliate against Baron. She muttered an apology

and hung up the call.

...

Third floor.

The Brooks family had arranged for Percival to stay next to Vivienne’s room. After he entered his room

alone, Melissa and Ashley accompanied Vivienne into her room.

However, they didn't linger, exchanged a few words, and left, closing the door behind them.

But as Ashley was about to leave, she stretched her neck back in and emphasized rather ‘thoughtfully,’

"Don’t worry. We all know how much you despise Arabella. So even though she lived in this room

before, we've replaced everything. Take your time settling in."

After saying that, she retracted her head as her gaze subtly swept over Percival's door. She then

followed Melissa downstairs.

Arabella had lived here?

Ha!

Vivienne stood alone in the room, observing the layout and its furnishings.

Just from the room's layout, it was clear that Scott had made a significant effort for his long-lost

daughter.

The room was spacious and well-lit; furthermore, all the furniture and bedding were obviously brand

new. The balcony was filled with blooming flowers, and the vanity was filled with top-brand skincare

products, as if they were unsure which one she preferred, so they just got them all.

The wardrobe was crammed full of luxury-brand women's clothing. It even included lingerie.

Seemingly unsure of her size, they had bought all sizes just in case.

Vivienne looked at the pile of pretty dresses in the wardrobe, her beautiful, pale face expressionless.

She picked the simplest dress and went into the bathroom.

The bathroom was spacious and had a whirlpool tub. Since she had plenty of time, she filled the tub

and leisurely lay in it. She texted Draven while soaking, asking him to send her luggage over to the

Brooks Mansion.

Then a message from Percival popped up on her phone. "Done bathing?"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, replying, "No."

"No? You replied so fast."

"I’m soaking in the tub."

"Together."

"?"

What did that mean?

She stared intently at the bathroom door, wondering if Percival would really barge in. Should she hit

him?

After a while, Percival texted back. "I'm also in the tub now."

Vivienne was at a loss.

She was overthinking.

But she did feel a little disappointed. She was expecting to hit him.

Percival texted again. "How long are you planning to stay here?"

"Don't know."

"If you're not happy staying here, why not come back to the Ellington Mansion with me?"

"Not yet."

Percival felt a bit frustrated as he looked at Vivienne’s last message. If he couldn't coax Vivienne back

to the Ellington Mansion, did he have to keep staying at the Brooks Mansion?

But, after thinking about it, it didn't seem like a bad idea.

So, he texted Thomas to bring his luggage over and texted Vivienne back. "Vivienne, my back hurts."

Vivienne stared at his coquettish message on her phone, highly suspecting his intentions.

But when she remembered how mercilessly the three baseball bats hit Percival's back, she decided to

check on him.

When he received the "I'm coming" message from Vivienne, the corners of Percival's mouth turned up

slightly.

Good. His girl still cared about him.

He stood up from the bathtub and looked at himself in the bathroom mirror. His messy hair was wet and

dripping. His skin was slightly reddened from the hot bath, making him look incredibly sexy.

He was quite satisfied and purposely wore only a bathrobe.

There was a knock at the door. He opened the door, only to be stunned by the sight of the girl standing

in the frame of the door.

Vivienne wore the simplest white dress she found in the wardrobe. The dress only had two thin straps

holding it up by her shoulders. The upper half of the dress outlined her figure, narrowing at the waist to

show her perfect, slender waistline. The slight puff of the skirt and her soft hair cascading over her

shoulders added a youthful touch.

He had never seen Vivienne dress in such a youthful and romantic style before. Even though her face

was still stern, she looked much softer.

Vivienne was also taken aback when she saw Percival wearing only a bathrobe. His chest was

exposed, showing his well-defined pecs.

The drops of water from his hair fell onto his slightly reddened cheeks, sliding down his sharp jawline,

down his chest, and disappearing into his abs, leaving a suggestive trail of water.

After noticing that Vivienne's gaze uncontrollably followed the path of that droplet, moving lower and

lower, Percival began chuckling lightly. "Vivienne, you're so lustful."

Vivienne snapped back to reality. Her cheeks were flushed, and she glared at him fiercely.

He was the one trying to seduce her by dressing like this. Who was the real lewd one here?!

She sternly pushed him back into the room and closed the door behind her. Her attitude made it seem

more like she was here to settle a score with him rather than check on his injury.

"Lay down on the bed!" Her flushed cheeks betrayed her stern mood.

Percival lay obediently on the bed with a mischievous smile on his face. "Vivienne, are you going to

take me by force?"

"Shut it!" Vivienne curtly commanded him as she strode over and pulled back Percival's robe, revealing

the deep shades of purple and blue that stained half his back. Her brows furrowed immediately. "It's so

swollen! Why didn't you say something earlier?"

"It’s just a flesh wound. As long as the bones are intact, it's fine." Percival replied nonchalantly.

As a squad leader at the Vanguard Agency, danger was part of the job description. Injuries were as Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

commonplace as breakfast cereal.

Especially when the injuries were sustained in the act of protecting Vivienne. He didn't mind in the

slightest.

Unseen by Percival, Vivienne's gaze on his back was unreadable. The depths of her emotions

remained a secret.

Once she confirmed that his ribs were unbroken, she began to apply a healing salve. To maximize the

effect, she gently massaged it into his skin, spreading the cool, soothing balm with her warm fingers.

Percival lay face down on the bed with his eyes closed, savoring the comforting pressure of Vivienne's

hands on his back. She methodically worked the salve into his skin, kneading and massaging with the

utmost care. He had to fight to suppress the spark of desire her touch ignited within him.

Suddenly, they were interrupted by a knock at the door and Ashley’s voice. "Vivienne, are you ready?

It's time for lunch."

Vivienne wiped her hands clean of the salve and went to answer the door.

Ashley, who had been knocking on Vivienne's door, froze in surprise as Vivienne emerged from

Percival's room instead.