The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

After dinner, the kids and Andrew were playing in the living room, while Percival continued his chess gwith Dorian. Cordelia

and her daughter were having a chat with Vivienne in another room.

Astrid frowned as she recalled the child from earlier, "Vivienne, are you sure it's alright to keep that child with you? Everything

you've mentioned seems too coincidental, and his mom doesn't even want him. What if you can't bond with him?"

Astrid's concern was understandable, especially after the incident that happened next door. How could they not worry?

Vivienne just smiled, "It's fine to have him around."

Astrid wanted to say more but couldn't find the right words.

Vivienne, sensing their hesitation, patted their hands, "Don't worry, we know what we're doing."

Cordelia and Astrid, knowing Vivienne to be a judicious person, didn't press further.

After a while, Vivienne took the children back home.

Upon returning to the estate, the children prepared for bed and retreated to their rooms.

Vivienne had just sat down in her room when she received a message from Leopold, informing her that the tutor she asked for was

almost ready.

Leopold, unable to resist, voiced his concern.

"Vivienne, are you sure it's okay not to let them mingle with peers?"

Vivienne raised an eyebrow. How had she prevented them from mingling?

"What do you mean?"

"Kids at this stage, | hear it's crucial for them. Having a htutor is great, but it has its downsides. What if they be

antisocial?"

Vivienne nearly laughed at Leopold's reasoning. Did Juliette seem like a child who needed to worry about such things?

Evidently, Leopold hadn't caught on, continuing his tirade.

Vivienne, fighting the urge to block him, replied.

"Who in your house is pregnant?"

Leopold, puzzled, responded.

"Of course, it's little Yi Yi. How could a man get pregnant? Vivienne, what are you talking about?"

"If you're not the one pregnant, why has your brain gone haywire? Maybe you should get checked next tyou apany Griffin

for a prenatal visit."

After sending a smiling emoji, Vivienne blocked Leopold.

Leopold's lengthy voice message was thus prevented, and he had no clue where he went wrong.

When he showed the message to Griffin, Griffin burst into laughter.

"What's so funny? Did | say something wrong?"

Griffin, trying to spare his dignity, stifled his laughter and shook his head, "Not at all. You're just being a thoughtful godfather."

Vivienne somewhat regretted choosing Leopold as the children's godfather, but fortunately, they weren't influenced by his dull

wits.

Upon entering, Percival found Vivienne looking distressed. He hugged her and whispered, "Why the sigh? Something wrong?"

Vivienne shook her head, then realized Percival had just showered, his hair still wet, adding an unintended allure.

Caught off guard by Percival's appearance, Vivienne found herself at a loss for words.

Percival, amused by her reaction, teased, "Lost in your husband's looks?"

"Who wouldn't be?" Vivienne replied, pulling him to sit down. "Dry your hair, don't want you getting headaches when you're older."

Percival let Vivienne's slender fingers run through his hair, findingfort in the gesture.

After drying his hair, Vivienne was suddenly lifted by Percival, catching her off guard. As she was about to protest, she saw the

desire in his eyes.

"Vivienne, | can't hold back anymore."

Percival laid Vivienne on the bed, his touch seemed to ignite her skin.

Her gaze quickly bechazy.

As he undressed her, whispering in her ear, "Tonight, if you can't hold back, just let it out. The room is soundproof, no need to

worry about the kids."

Vivienne playfully cursed at Percival's beastliness, but her words were soon muffled by his kisses.

The next morning, the children were up, but Vivienne and Percival hadn'te downstairs, even though the tutor had arrived.

The children stood awkwardly with the tutor.

He checked his phone; indeed, they had agreed on 10:30. Waiting for half an hour without a word, especially from the parents, was

unusual.

Bending down to the kids, the tutor asked, "Are you the children I'm supposed to tutor?"

Juliette nodded, and the tutor smiled, "Do you know where your parents are?"

"They're still sleeping," cthe unexpected reply, nearly flooring the tutor.

It was already eleven, and they were still in bed?

The tutor was led to the living room by the butler, amazed by the lavish estate.

After a short wait, he heard footsteps from upstairs and saw Vivienne and Percival descending.

"Apologies, Mr. Wood, for the wait," Vivienne said. She hadn't expected Percival to be so energetic last night, nearly causing them

to miss the entire morning.

The tutor waved off the concern nonchalantly, "No worries, I'm here today more to get a sense of the kids' level. You don't have to

fret."

After getting a rough idea of the children's academic standings, the tutor was invited to stay for lunch. Expecting nothing more

than a simple meal, he was surprisingly met with the sight of the parents engaging in a display of affection at the dining table.

That meal certainly left a peculiar taste in his mouth.

The household was always bustling, with servants moving about. Vivienne would occasionally check in to see how things were

going, ensuring Juliette wouldn't dare give the tutor a hard time. So, the lessons went on without a hitch.

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