The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne cast a derisive glance at Judith, a sneer etching the corners of her lips. “Judith, do I need to

remind you that my mom has only one daughter?”

Judith’s face turned a shade of ashen fury.

That was why her attitude towards Vivienne had turned frosty since she learned that Calista was

Scott’s daughter.

Vivienne was the proverbial ungrateful brat. No matter how kind they were to her, how much they

poured out their hearts, she always took their kindness for granted, mistaking their genuine concern for

meddling interference!

She always acted like she did not give a hoot about the Brooks family.

At first, Judith tolerated Vivienne’s insolence because she owed her life to her. But now…

Scott was not only Calista’s father!

Since Vivienne did not cherish their goodwill, then it was time to lavish all their affection on Calista.

Vivienne gave Judith a sidelong glance, her gaze finally settling on Calista. With a tone of indifference,

she said, “Don’t call me family anymore. You don’t deserve it.”

With those words, Vivienne turned on her heel, ready to leave.

Calista, teeth clenched as if nursing a deep grievance, called out, “Vivienne, if you keep this up, the

Brooks family won’t be able to put up with you anymore.”

“Oh, really?” Vivienne’s gaze flicked to Scott. “Mr. Brooks, are you going to throw me out?”

Scott fell silent for a moment before saying, “I won’t throw you out.”

Vivienne’s lips curled into a faint smile, and without another word to them, she entered her room.

Once in her room, she pulled out her phone and made a call.

“Vivienne.” The voice on the other end greeted, laced with a hint of warmth.

Vivienne poured herself a glass of water, took a sip, and then said, “Calista’s been brought back.”

There was a brief pause on the line before Percival responded in his typically measured tone, “It seems

someone has grown impatient.”

“The virus lab of Mr. B hasn’t been found yet,” Vivienne stated coldly.

“There haven’t been any new reports of missing infants recently. Their experiments must not have

started. Don’t worry. I will do everything in my power to save those children.” Percival assured her, his

voice tinged with gentleness.

Vivienne nodded, “Good, I’ll leave Vanguard Agency to you. I’ll find the people.”

“Will do.”

In the Brooks Mansion’s grand hall, Scott looked at Calista, well aware of the humiliation she had

endured. He swiftly suggested, “Since yesterday was a misunderstanding, let’s throw you another

welcoming party.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

Calista had been waiting to bring up the subject, but Scott spoke first. Naturally, she accepted, seizing

the opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding from the previous day.

As long as she could restore her reputation, Calista still had a chance with Percival.

What did it matter if it was all an act?

They were currently in a broken engagement.

The Brooks family urgently needed this event to vindicate Calista’s honor. Considering that the

decorations from the previous night had not been completely taken down, they simply made some

adjustments and sent out invitations for the elite to attend Calista’s belated reunion feast.

The socialites were all too aware of yesterday’s fiasco and were curious about another reunion party so

soon.

Judith had clarified that the entire Brooks family must attend Calista’s party, but Kala was far from

pleased.

Now, watching Calista dressed even more lavishly than the day before, she grew increasingly envious.

“How many times has this been? How many illegitimate daughters does the Brooks family have tucked

away?”

Her words were dripping with sarcasm.

Calista was nearly beside herself with rage upon hearing them.

One by one, they all seemed to give her a hard time for Vivienne’s sake.

What was so great about Vivienne?

She was Kala’s cousin, too.

Why could Kala not stand up for her just once?

“Calista, don’t mind those words. Today is your welcome party, and we must redeem ourselves,” Mila

said, standing by Calista’s side and having overheard the conversation.

The term “illegitimate daughter” was harsh, but it was also Mila’s key to the Brooks family. Though

Scott had yet to recognize her, she was, after all, Calista’s mother.

As long as that connection existed, she had plenty of opportunities.

Calista nodded, her fists clenching. “Mom, I’ve got a plan. My experiment made progress a few days

ago. Once I tell Percival, he’ll definitely focus on me.”

“That’s my girl. Now that you’re a Brooks, you must secure the marriage contract with the Ellingtons,”

Mila said, her eyes seething with hatred for Vivienne.

That little wretch!

Just like her mother, always stealing the men others liked.

In a new, yet equally elegant evening gown—yesterday’s having been ruined—Calista stood with her

signature smile, waiting for guests to arrive.

As the night grew darker, not a single person showed up.

Calista’s smile stiffened.

Not one person came to her reunion party?

Were they disrespecting the Brooks family?

Was this a mockery of them?

Just then, headlights pierced the darkness.

Calista lifted her gown and hurried forward with a renewed smile as only one man stepped out of the

car.

Percival!

The Ellingtons had sent only him.

In his simple yet sharp suit, Percival exuded an innate steadiness that was intimidating and magnetic,

compelling Calista to draw near.

The fact that Percival came alone filled Calista with joy, and she eagerly approached him.

“Mr. Ellington.” Calista stepped forward, her voice laced with a hint of eagerness as she handed over

the meticulously prepared dossier. “This is the latest progress of my research. I’ve already touched

base with your assistant, but I felt it was better to discuss this with you in person.”

Percival, however, seemed to look right through her, his gaze and steps veering off towards another

direction.

The sting of being ignored froze the smile on Calista’s face as she watched Percival’s cold indifference

melt away the closer he got to Vivienne.

They had called off their engagement, had they not?

And yet, here he was, making a beeline for Vivienne?

What did Vivienne have, aside from her striking features?

Bitterness crept into Calista’s heart, but she masked it with a sly smirk as her eyes caught the

shimmering chandelier above the podium set up just for her.

On the other hand, the Brooks family were taken aback by Percival’s unexpected appearance.

They had thought no one would show up.

Mila was about to step forward when Percival, as dismissive of her as he had been of Calista, made his

way directly to where Vivienne stood.

Vivienne was a vision that evening.

Her strapless evening gown was the epitome of refined elegance, simple yet stunning. Her hair was

swept up, revealing her delicate collarbones, and around her neck hung a tasteful pendant. The

makeup on her face was subtle. She stood beneath the glow of the lights, dazzling and radiant.Books

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“Vivienne.”

Vivienne’s attire clearly caught Percival off guard. His little girl had never been one for elaborate outfits,

especially not for a trivial family reunion feast.

Yet today, she was dressed to the nines. Her get-up was not for Calista’s sake, of course.

Vivienne’s lips curled into a smile, “Mr. Wolf!”

As Leopold had spilled the beans, Mr. Wolf was planning to confess his feelings for her today!

She was quite looking forward to it.

Percival groaned internally. “Leopold, you’ve done it now! My carefully planned surprise, and you’ve

just blown it.”

Leopold, defensively, would later protest, “I’m innocent, Percival! It was Isolde who told me!”