The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Sasha knew Vivienne was heading to the Brooks' for a visit and instructed her assistant to fetch sgifts they had received from the Perez family, for Vivienne to take along.

Percival casually took them from her hands.

Glancing at the clock, Vivienne said to Sasha, "Mom, we'll talk about that matter when I get back." Sasha nodded in agreement. Sconversations needed more than just a few minutes, and now wasn't the right time.

Leaving the Linklater residence, Vivienne sat in the passenger seat, only then realizing Percival was driving instead of Leopold. "Where's Leopold? Why isn't he with you?" Percival merged onto the road, replying casually, "He's been tied up lately." "Tied up?" Vivienne raised an eyebrow in surprise, as if she had just confirmed something, "Weren't you two together this morning?" She remembered hearing Leopold's voice in the background when she had called Percival earlier that day.

With a smooth turn of the steering wheel and a glance towards Vivienne, Percival chuckled, "You've got sharp ears, Mrs. Wolf." He continued, "He kind of let your martial arts brothers trash my properties. Making him do shard labor doesn't seem unfair, does it?" A smile played on Vivienne's lips, "Not unfair at all. He could use the workout." "He volunteered. I didn't force him," Percival added.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, "Mr. Wolf, did you catch him in apromising situation?" "To him, it might as well be the end of the world. Enough to make him listen tofor a good while, or at least not dare to defy me," Percival revealed.

Vivienne tilted her head, her eyes narrowing with intrigue, "You didn't capture sscandalous photos of him, did you?" Percival gave her an affectionate smile, "Do I seem that tasteless to you?" Vivienne pursed her lips, nomittal.

Unable to bear her sudden silence, Percival confessed, "Stop worrying. It's a recording of a confession!" Vivienne's smile broadened in understanding, "He finally got a clue." Percival's smile widened, "I'll send it to you later. Griffin Martinez will owe you one." Vivienne laughed lazily, "Aren't you afraid Leopold wille after you?" "He wouldn't dare!" "Exactly!" Amidst their laughter, they arrived at the Brooks' residence. It was a Saturday, and several young boys were playing basketball outside.

Noticing neers, one of the boys, clutching the ball, asked a man nearby, "Thaddeus Hawthorn, isn't that your sister?" Vivienne, with her keen hearing, turned and spotted Thaddeus.

She waved at him.

Thaddeus, in his white basketball jersey, said goodbye to his friends and ran over.

Standing obediently next to Vivienne, he glanced at Percival and shyly greeted, "Sis, brother-in-law, you're here." Thaddeus' address made Percival grin, patting the boy's head, "Say it again; it sounds good!" Thaddeus beamed with joy.

"Sounds great!" Percival handed him the latest Bumblebee helmet toy, "For you!" Thaddeus' eyes lit up at the sight, "Wow, the new Bumblebee helmet! It's voice-controlled and transforms just like a real robot!" He had wanted it badly! His parents promised to gift it for his birthday, but Percival beat them to it.

Thaddeus was thrilled, "Thank you, you're the best!" Percival was over the moon.

Vivienne eyed Thaddeus, "Huh, Percival's the best, and where do I rank?" "You're the very best, and Percival's second best!" Thaddeus' sweet talk made Vivienne's smile grow.

Laughing, Vivienne said, "With that sweet mouth, you're going to be a ladies' man!" Thaddeus cocked his head, “Sis, girlfriends don't need much wooing, just give them candy!" Vivienne was speechless.

Percival burst into laughter, "You've got a girlfriend already?" Seems like another little girl's heart was about to be stolen! ne Thaddeus, with a serious face, confessed, "Actually, I didn't want her as my girlfriend, but she said the candy I gave her was like an engagement gift, and that she'd marrywhen we grow up. But I don't want to get married; I want to be a scientist." He sighed deeply, "Scientists are busy people, no tfor romance." Vivienne and Percival exchanged looks, baffled.

Kids these days are so advanced? At seven, already talking about love? Thaddeus seemed worried he wouldn't have tfor a girlfriend if he beca scientist.

Percival, intrigued, asked, "Which little lady is it?" "It's Isolde!" Thaddeus looked at Percival, distressed, "She insists on marryingwhen we're older, and I don't know what to do!" Percival was stunned.

This kid! Not only did he charm his sister but now he's acting picky! His face darkened instantly.

He could now empathize with Arthur's feelings.

It's like watching someone else run off with your prized possession! Gritting his teeth, Percival glared at Thaddeus, "Don't worry, I'll make sure she never sees you again!" "How can she not see me? We're in the sclass, and I'm the class president, she's the studymissioner!" Thaddeus was puzzled.

Even in first grade, both Thaddeus and Isolde Ellington were top students - he, the class president, and she, the studymissioner.

Let's say they were tasked with tutoring the kids in their class! He and Isolde took this very seriously.

So, he couldn't wrap his head around why Percival was barring Isolde from seeing him! Percival, "..." Could it be possible that if he somehow "lost" this kid, no one would fuss over his sister anymore? Vivienne: Mr. Wolf, you've got it all е wrong. It's not him fussing over your sister, 's your sister who's gotol to crush on him. That's called making the first move! Percival: ...

He felt a lump in his throat, bigger than ever before! Glaring at Thaddeus, he snatched the helmet he'd just given him, "Just remembered, the boss said this helmet isn't for heartbreakers!" With that, he turned on his heel and left! Thaddeus, watching his hard-earned helmet being taken away, looked at Vivienne with a hint of sadness, "Sis, did I say something wrong? Why is Percival upset?" Vivienne, barely holding back her laughter, said, "You took away his treasure; of course, he's upset!" "Eh?" Thaddeus looked puzzled, "But I'm good; I don't take things from others." Vivienne, "..." Rubbing her temples in resignation, she finally crouched down to his level, speaking earnestly, "Thaddeus, you need to understand, boys have to be responsible towards the girls they like. If you don't like her then you need to keep your distance and not hurt her feelings." It was her first relationship, her first marriage; she wasn't even sure if what she was saying was correct.

But, that would have to do! After all, Thaddeus and Isolde were still young. Who knows, they might end up not standing each other when they grow up. Thaddeus, semi-understanding, nodded, "I got it." Then, looking at Percival who was already at the elevator with the helmet, he pouted, "But my..." "He's just kidding." mmMwWLlilOfiflo&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1