The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 221

The next day.

Percival had Beatrice's family forcibly sent back to their rural home.

At first, they kicked up a fuss and refused to go. Percival's men were not gentle, so Michael ended up with a broken leg. Only then did his family reluctantly agree to leave.

Before they left, Dorian gave the old woman ten grand and told her he would send her a monthly allowance of two hundred dollars. Not a penny more, not a penny less.

Some might accuse Dorian of being too soft-hearted, but he saw it as his duty.

If Beatrice wasn't his biological mother, he could've washed his hands of the whole thing. But numerous DNA tests had confirmed his lineage. He was indeed her son.

Even though they had disowned each other in name, the law required him to provide for his mother.

Cordelia supported his decision.

Sometimes, you could sever all ties but blood.

"Percival, I've left some people to keep an eye on them. They won't have a chance to disturb your in-laws again." Thomas reported this to Percival, with Vivienne listening in the backseat of the black sedan.

Her face was calm and expressionless. She didn't care about Beatrice's fate.

After hearing Thomas's report, Percival absentmindedly asked while playing with Vivienne's fingers. "Vivienne, Scott has sent someone to collect your DNA sample."

"Uh-huh." Vivienne's eyes flickered with amusement as a mocking smile played on her lips.

After Arabella was hospitalized, people had been trying to get close to Vivienne to collect her hair or other samples. They were most likely sent by Scott to collect her DNA.

But they didn't succeed.

"Do you want to return to the Brooks family?" Percival intertwined his fingers with hers as his grip tightened.

Vivienne leaned back in her seat, staring out at the gloomy sky through the window, without answering.

She wanted to return.

Since Arabella hadn't dug up any dirt, she would have to return to the Brooks family and find out for herself.

What was the danger that had forced her mother to flee while pregnant, causing her to hide her identity and agree to a marriage of convenience with Dorian?

Just then, a car in front of them had a tire blowout, swerved, and crashed into them.

Amid the screeching brakes, Percival and Vivienne lurched forward, bracing themselves against the front seats.

He held Vivienne close, shielding her head with his hand. After the car steadied, he checked her over, making sure she was unharmed, before he turned to Thomas with obvious anger in his tone. "What happened?"

"The other car swerved into us, Percival. I'll go check it out." Thomas exited the car.

Thomas got out of the car with a stern face, only to find that the other driver was Ronald.

Ronald was equally surprised to see Percival's car. He quickly apologized to Thomas. "Sorry, it was my fault. I wasn't paying attention. Let me know how much it will cost, and I'll pay you back."

Since Ronald was being reasonable, Thomas didn't say anything harsh. He glanced back at their car and said, "No need. Our young master can afford it."

Ronald didn't argue. He and Percival were not the kind to squabble over money. Too much politeness would feel insincere.

He'd owe them a favor for now and find a way to repay it later.

With that thought, he nodded at Thomas and returned to his car.

After Percival's men brought a new car to pick up Percival and Vivienne, Thomas got into the damaged Lincoln.

In Ronald's car, a stylish woman in her fifties was in the backseat. "What happened?"

When Vivienne and Percival returned home, Astrid was already there.

Accompanying her was a man dressed in a suit.

Astrid and the man in the suit were playing with Thaddeus in the yard.

"Sis! Bro-in-law!" Thaddeus cheerfully called out as soon as he saw Vivienne and Percival return.

"Hey, why don't I get a bro-in-law from you, Thaddeus?" A man nearby feigned hurt.

"Huh, so you're a bro-in-law, and Percival is too, so that makes two bro-in-laws?" Thaddeus was a bit confused.

"I'm the elder bro-in-law, and he's the younger one." The man laughed as he ruffled Thaddeus's hair.

"You must be Vivienne, right?" Astrid looked at Vivienne with warmth in her eyes. "My mom sent me a bunch of candid shots of you. I thought you were beautiful then, but you're even more stunning in person. Or maybe my mom's photography skills aren't up to par."

"You're very pretty, too." Vivienne nodded in response.

Astrid and Cordelia looked very alike, both with gentle and soft features. Perhaps because of this, Vivienne felt an instant affinity toward Astrid.

"Oh, and this is my boyfriend, Alfred." Astrid pointed to the young man next to her.

"Nice to meet you." Vivienne nodded at Alfred before pointing at Percival. "This is my fiancé, Percival."

"You two make a good pair." Astrid nodded at Percival in return.

"Vivienne and Percival are back?" Dorian emerged from the villa, greeting the four in the yard with a warm smile. "Come on in; dinner's ready."

Knowing that Astrid was coming home today, Cordelia had made a special trip to the farmer's market and spent the entire afternoon in the kitchen, preparing a feast just for them.

"Sure, Dad." Astrid responded naturally.