The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 380

Everyone looked up as Vivienne walked in, her pace slow and measured. Clad in a plain tee and jeans, the simplicity of her attire was offset by the icy expression that seemed permanently etched onto her delicate features.

Kala watched her, emotions churning within her.

After a moment, she spoke up, "No need. I'll handle it myself."

She was at a loss for how to treat Vivienne now.

After all, it was not Vivienne who had affected her work, but there was an undeniable discomfort whenever she saw Vivienne.

Did she blame Vivienne?

No.

After all, her grandmother had genuinely committed murder, and not just once, but tenfold.

For twenty years, the families of the victims had been deprived of the truth.

Her grandmother's fate was deserved.

She just could not face Vivienne.

It seemed ever since Vivienne’s return, everyone she was close to had changed.

Vivienne approached her, her face serious. "Judith's death was a consequence of her actions. If she hadn't resisted arrest, she wouldn't have been shot in front of you. And the media exposure you faced wasn't my doing. I covered your penalty fees as a gesture of goodwill. You were the only one who treated me with genuine kindness after I joined the Brooks family."

When the Brooks first took her in, everyone had been considerate, but there was always an ulterior motive.

Only Kala had been genuinely kind to her.

That was just how Vivienne was unable to ignore those who were sincerely kind to her.

Even though this incident was somewhat related to her, she was not responsible for the outcome.

She could assist Kala, but she would never blame herself for what had happened!

Kala stared at Vivienne, unsure of what to say.

Ever since Vivienne had come back, she had been a woman of few words, never using two where one would suffice. But today, she had spoken at length.

Without another word, Vivienne walked over to Baron and stated flatly, "Baron, I'm here to pack up. I won't be staying at the Brooks household any longer."

Baron scoffed, "What, you think you can just bail when the going gets tough? I'm not dead yet. Even in hard times, I wouldn't let my granddaughter fend for herself."

He sighed, his tone softening, "This isn't on you. Even if it weren't you and Percival, I wouldn't have spared her. This case... Richard and I have been investigating it in the shadows for years. If we had discovered the truth sooner, perhaps the Brooks family wouldn't have ended up like this."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.

"Stay put, and don't worry about anything else," Baron said with finality. "We're discussing the future of the Brooks family. You should listen in. You're nearly twenty. It's time you learned about the company."

Vivienne smirked, "I don't mind where I stay as long as you all are willing to have me."

Baron glared at her. "Do you think I raised fools?"

With that, he glanced over at Timothy and the others.

Timothy and his peers wore embarrassed expressions. It was not that they blamed Vivienne; it was just hard to accept what had happened right before their eyes.

But now, Timothy was coming to terms with it.

After all, the old lady had ten lives on her conscience, and she could not escape death in the end.

Vivienne flashed a mischievous smile. "Perfect! I've been wanting to have a chat with you as well."

After a brief glance at her, Scott turned and ascended the staircase.

In the room, Vivienne sauntered over to a chair and slumped down with a roguish air. "So, what's on your mind?"

Scott just looked at her, staying silent for a moment.

After a heavy pause, he finally spoke, his voice slow and deliberate, "Have your foster parents been by the Brooks Mansion lately?"

"Missing them, are you?" Vivienne chuckled.

"They are guests, after all. It's been a while, so I thought I'd ask," Scott tried to soften his tone.

Vivienne's hand rested on the armrest, tapping rhythmically as her smile widened, "Now, are you referring to Rowan and Ismene, who've been masquerading as my foster parents, or my actual foster parents?"

"What?" Scott was taken aback, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"Mr. Brooks, are you still in the dark? The two at the Brooks Mansion, they're fakes," Vivienne continued to smile, a chilling sort of grin.

Before Scott could respond, Vivienne slowly added, "No, that's not right! I shouldn't call you Mr. Brooks. 'Mr. B' is more fitting, isn't it? Your people have been staying at the Brooks Mansion for days. Don't you know where they've gone?"

At her words, Scott was shocked. "You!"

How had she found out?

He had always been so careful in his disguise!

Vivienne shook her head, pondering for a moment before continuing, "Actually, 'Mr. B' isn't quite right either. Maybe 'Mr. B's double' would be more accurate, wouldn't it?"