The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 518

Vivienne had no patience for Patrick's explanation; she already knew enough about what the Boyd family and Patrick were up to.

She extended her hand to Patrick, her tone brisk. "Hand over the key of your code."

Patrick blinked in confusion. "What code?"

"The code of your contract!" Vivienne pressed, irritation creeping into her voice.

Patrick looked even more bewildered. "I don't know anything about a code. Our contracts are straightforward. It’s in in my car. Let me fetch it for you."

With that, Patrick hurried to his car and brought back the document to Vivienne. "Please, take a look, Madam."

Vivienne took the contract and immediately noticed it was an agreement between the Ashford and Boyd families.

However, the format and wording differed from what Vivienne had seen in the Boyd family's safe.

She did not know what that contract in the safe was about, but it certainly was not the same as this one. It seemed Patrick was not lying.

"You can go back now," Vivienne said, handing back the contract.

The contract contained nothing substantial, just the usual business dealings. The Ashford family, a biotech leader in Sea City, also operated shipping routes. Their collaboration with the Boyd family had made many things more convenient, but there was no mention of the cutting-edge bionics.

After Patrick took the documents, he hesitated, casting a knowing look at Vivienne.

Vivienne gave him an icy glance, her face expressionless. "Keep Gillian away from me, and you'll stay safe."

"Thank you, Madam." Patrick watched Vivienne enter her villa before getting back into his car.

As soon as the car door closed, his sycophantic smile turned into a heavy frown. He gazed at the villa's grand entrance before tapping the car seat, signaling the driver to depart.

Inside the villa, Vivienne watched through the sheer curtains as Patrick's car disappeared, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.

Everyone makes mistakes.

For instance, Vivienne had once misjudged Mark. And Karen had misjudged Patrick.

Percival came in with a cup of steaming hot milk. "Try this. I've heated it."

Vivienne left the curtains and sipped the milk, nodding appreciatively. "Not bad. It's even better than the plain water you usually boil."

A twitch of annoyance flickered across Percival's mouth. "Can't your man even warm up milk to your satisfaction?"

It seemed to him Vivienne always doubted his ability to fend for himself.

Had she forgotten that his cooking was actually quite decent, especially compared to her disastrous attempts in the kitchen?

Vivienne chuckled. "I just think your talented hands should be making more money for me."

Money was indeed sweeter than milk.

Percival pinched her cheek affectionately. "My little money-lover!"

Vivienne clicked her tongue playfully. "Who could ever have enough money?"

Percival stroked her hair, his voice gentle. "Well, it's rare that I have such a skill. Don't worry, my dear. I'll make sure to earn plenty. Enough to last us this lifetime and the next."

"Good." Vivienne's smile was radiant, like the break of dawn.

Percival's eyes snapped open, a smile spreading across his face. "You're awake?"

"Yes." Vivienne got out of bed and began to dress. "Mr. Wolf, get ready. We're going to the Boyd family's place."

Percival responded affirmatively, "Good, I have a score to settle with them."

...

In the Boyd household, tension crackled like a live wire. Wendy sat in her wheelchair, her gaze drifting down to her lifeless legs. "That Gillian, looking all sweet and innocent, but behind closed doors, she's a whole different story. Her boyfriends can line up from Sea City to Rivenwood, for God's sake. That girl's a walking disaster."

The scandal had rocked Sea City to its core the day before. No one in the Boyd family could remember a time they had been more embarrassed.

Wendy had tossed and turned all night, her mind racing with anger and worry.

First thing in the morning, she summoned her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren to discuss a game plan.

Teresa, her nails clicking in annoyance, spoke with haughty disdain. "Pfft, as if she could ever match up to our Yannick. Even if she paid me, I'd have to think twice about it."

"She's tainted goods now. Only a fool like Percival would take her. The Boyds can't afford to be dragged down by her mess," Wendy agreed, nodding at Teresa's words.

Teresa bristled at the dismissal, her plan of devaluing Gillian to snag her and the Ashford family's business now seeming to slip away. "Mom, this mess has blown up so much. What can the Ellingtons even do? We should marry her into our family while no one in Sea City will have her. That way, we'll owe the Ashfords a favor. Once we secure the business, we can dump her, no harm done. Don't let the Ellingtons snap up that juicy Ashford clientele."

Mara, who had little patience for Teresa's two-faced tactics, could not help but speak up. "Even if Gillian's reputation is in ruins, men will still be lining up for her. Auntie, you might want to check if your son even stands a chance."

Teresa's face reddened with anger. "You little brat, since when do children get to talk back to their elders? You're no better, keeping company with Gillian all this time. You've probably got your own set of dirty little secrets!"

Nancy, defending her daughter against Teresa's venomous words, retorted sharply. "Teresa, watch your mouth. Maybe you should worry more about your own family. Your daughter was supposed to be on guard. If she had not been slacking, Vivienne would not have been able to sneak in and cause this whole mess."