The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 857

Cecilia was on the phone, her voice cracking through sobs of despair.

Percival frowned deeply, "What in the world is going on?"

"Your dad, I caught him cheating!" Cecilia's voice was almost a shout, overwhelmed by the shock of what she had witnessed.

Percival paused, not quite comprehending, "What did you say?"

His dad caught cheating?

That had to be a joke.

Everyone who knew Nathan was aware of his devotion to his wife.

Cecilia had been the apple of Nathan's eye for years, never wanting for anything.

And now she was talking about catching him cheating?

Percival thought it sounded like a bad punchline.

"Your dad and Mara Boyd..." Cecilia couldn't finish, breaking down into tears again.

Percival's expression darkened.

Mara?

He had almost forgotten about her!

Vivienne looked equally troubled. Cecilia had been nothing but kind to her, treating her like her own daughter, and she would not stand for anyone causing her distress.

She had initially left Mara and Huxley Boyd because she knew they were connected to Abigail.

Although Vivienne could track down Abigail, finding her exact whereabouts was another challenge, given her elusive nature.

Her plan had been to deal with the Abernathy and Perez families first, then use Huxley to lure out Abigail.

It seemed they had made the first move.

Fine by her!

Seems like they were asking for trouble.

After a moment of silence, Percival sternly told Cecilia, "Vivienne and I will be right there."

He hung up the phone without another word.

What was usually a fifteen-minute drive turned into a twenty-minute race due to Cecilia's emergency.

Tears filled her eyes, but Percival was unyielding, "Tell the truth now, or it'll be worse for you."

Mara tried to defend herself, but Vivienne's slap cut her off, the force knocking her back to the floor.

Vivienne stood over her, cold and menacing, "Say that again?"

Mara shrunk back, too terrified to speak, as the gravity of her actions and their consequences finally sank in.

Vivienne cast a frosty glance at her, then turned to gently pat Cecilia's back, comforting her with a voice that was steady yet soft, imbuing a sense of calm assurance, “Mom, take a deep breath and tell us everything you know, okay?”

Cecilia shot Mara a venomous look, regretting ever taking her in out of pity. Now, it seemed, she was the one truly deserving of pity.

Tears still streaked her cheeks as she stood up, her steps wobbly. Vivienne supported her firmly as Cecilia moved to the edge of the bed and briskly pulled back the covers, revealing a stark red bloodstain against the white sheets that caught everyone's eye.

Nathan's face turned a shade of crimson, as if he had been sentenced to death, unable to utter a single word.

Only Mara, who had just been reprimanded by Vivienne, seemed to momentarily forget the pain on her face. Her eyes, brimming with tears, fixed on Nathan as she clung to his leg, “Uncle, I gave myself to you! All these years, I've been pure, and if you hadn't sneaked into my room last night while I was asleep, I would still be innocent. I'm not even married yet!”

A flash of cunning flickered in her eyes, quickly disappearing as she continued to sob pitifully in Nathan's arms.

As long as Nathan believed he had taken her virtue, even if the entire Ellington family turned their backs on her, Nathan's character would compel him to protect her. What then, could Vivienne possibly do to her?