The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 631

In the classroom, Aaron slid into a seat near the back, and Kenneth ambled over to join him, idly flipping through a textbook.

Before long, the pair caught snippets of hushed whispers and the occasional snicker from nearby students.

Turning in unison, they spotted a girl seated behind them. Her face bore a deep scar that seemed to draw the cruel curiosity of their classmates.

Aaron's expression remained impassive as he turned away; such sights were hardly a novelty.

But Kenneth could not peel his eyes away, a sense of familiarity nagging at him.

Aaron yanked Kenneth's head back around. "Dude, can you not stare at every girl you meet?"

Kenneth forcibly shifted his gaze back, muttering, "I’ve only stared at Anna! And this girl, she just looks so familiar. Wait, aren't you Mara?"

Kenneth, who had grown up under the care of Cecilia, naturally recognized Mara, though they were never close.

Mara had once looked down on Kenneth for being adopted, echoing Percival's snooty attitude. It was all rather shameless.

And Kenneth had his own gripes about Mara—her affected airs and constant "big brother" this and "big brother" that had always grated on him.

Although they never clashed openly, there was a silent mutual disdain, with each barely tolerating the other's presence. Without adults around, not trading eye rolls was as cordial as it got.

Mara lifted her head, her surprise at seeing Kenneth fleeting before she masked it with indifference. "Kenneth? What are you doing here?"

"That's my line. What happened to your face?"

Kenneth had been away from home and was clueless about the Boyd family's upheaval.

Mara glanced down, her voice soft. "It's nothing. You're studying here too?"

Kenneth, never having heard Mara speak so meekly, was intrigued. "Yeah, you transferred here? Does Aunt Cecilia know?"

"Yeah. I'm here for grad school. My advisor said I've fallen behind, so he recommended I attend some classes to catch up," Mara explained, casting a timid glance at Aaron's back.

Though Kenneth found Mara annoying, her current vulnerability softened his usual disregard.

He slung an arm around Aaron's shoulder, introducing them. "This is my friend, Aaron. Say hi."

Aaron shot Kenneth a look of disdain. He was as ignorant of the Boyd family drama as Vivienne would allow him to be. During his time in Sea City, the Nine Mystics Society had not briefed him on such trivial matters.

He nodded politely at Mara. "Hey, class is starting."

His tone left little room for further conversation.

Mara, taking the hint, said to Kenneth, "Let's focus on class for now. We can talk after."

Kenneth nodded, teasing Aaron in a singsong voice, "Hey, hey," only to receive a sharp kick under the table.

When class ended, Kenneth was sprawled on his desk, asleep. Aaron nudged him awake. "You coming or what?"

"Right, right. Hey, Mara, it's lunchtime. Join us?"

Mara, new to the place and friendless due to her scar, followed Aaron and Kenneth to the cafeteria.

There, Kenneth finally got the chance to ask her about her situation.

Mara recounted her story, conveniently omitting her misdeeds and painting herself as a pitiable victim.

"I should've never listened to Gillian. I deserved what happened to me, but thankfully, Vivienne didn’t hold a grudge, allowing me to start over."

Kenneth nodded thoughtfully. "You owe her big time. You should be knocking your head on the floor in thanks. If I knew they were having trouble in Sea City, I'd have bolted over there. Who do they think they are, making Vivienne upset?"

"Little rascal?"

Vivienne sighed; Percival always had a sharp tongue when it came to Aaron, almost like a jealous schoolboy.

No wonder Cecilia had called him harsh!

But Percival didn't mind it. Sharp-tongued he was, and sharp-tongued he would be.

After all, he couldn't lay a hand on Aaron, that little rascal. Deep down, he knew Aaron had his sights set on his wife for years, yet he had to let it slide for the sake of his beloved.

How could he not be harsh?

When it came to anything involving Vivienne, he was admittedly petty, and what of it?

"Mara had lunch with Aaron and Kenneth today. It's her first day at the university, and she’s already making connections," Vivienne said, lounging on the couch and resting against Percival's legs. "She certainly doesn't lack social skills."

Percival was scrolling through his tablet, reviewing the latest research report on a chip from Griffin Martinez.

Although the progress was modest, it was something at least.

"She can handle herself. No need for us to worry."

Vivienne chuckled. "You could ease up on the harshness, at least while Cecilia's here. Show some respect."

Percival's fingers paused, and he put down the tablet, planting two quick kisses on Vivienne.

"Every time you call me harsh from now on, I'll just have to kiss you."

Vivienne blinked, amused by the prospect. "Well, aren't I lucky then?" she teased.