The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 453

Brian tucked away Mr. B's portrait. Despite having a target worth ten times more than Brody's, losing the cash hurt, no matter how he sliced it.

But Brody was already buried in the schematics of a potion, oblivious to the ruins around him.

His sole focus was concocting the antidote to make the Specter Healer concede defeat.

"Vivienne, he isn't faking it, is he?" Brian asked, uneasy.

If Brody bolted again, finding him again would not be a walk in the park.

Vivienne's lips curved slightly. "No chance."

Brody was obsessed with medicine; once hooked, it was tough to pull him out.

His greatest adversary was her.

He had spent half his life trying to best her.

Now, why would he not be thrilled with a golden opportunity and Brian out of his hair?

Furthermore, staying put meant he could concentrate totally on his research.

Brian sighed. "Vivienne, what about my money?"

Vivienne glanced at him. "After all this, you'll get Brody's bounty."

Money, money, money. Were all her associates so greedy?

Brian chuckled. "Alright, Vivienne, I'm off the..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Vivienne kicked him into the lab. "Clean this mess first!"

Brian scratched his head. No escaping it, after all.

Using the equipment Brian and Brody had not wrecked, Anna deciphered the mystery of iced latte.

"Ms. Vivienne, am I right with my analysis?" Anna handed her report to Vivienne.

Vivienne skimmed it. "Yep, next time you encounter a toxin like this, you'll crack it."

Anna breathed a sigh of relief. Noticing Brody poring over diagrams, she commented, "I expected an old man, at least middle-aged, but he's barely older than Husky!"

Vivienne was curious, too. Brody was pushing forty; how was he so youthful?

She sat beside him. "Been studying anti-aging, too?"

Brody, pen in mouth, did not look up. "Nope. Fifteen years ago, I botched an experiment, face full of it. Woke up looking like this."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow—an elixir of immortality by accident?

Suddenly, Brody looked up. "I've got it! The previous dosage was too low. A bit more, and the potion can't consume it!"

He dashed into the lab, cluttered with vials of viruses.

Vivienne watched, pondering the potion in Brody's hand, a new idea sparking.

Anna, clueless, asked, "Ms. Vivienne, what does he know?"

Vivienne shook her head. "What he knows doesn’t matter, but his test tube's gonna blow!"

Right on cue, a boom echoed from the lab, followed by Brody's curses.

Such explosions were routine to the others—there was always a few per day.

Vivienne jotted down some formulas, left them for Brody, and took Anna away.

On the way, Vivienne got a text from Percival.

Outside, Leopold approached eagerly. "How did it go?"

Percival smirked. "What exactly are you asking about?"

Leopold faltered, "Of course, about the bomb. What else?"

Vivienne eyed Leopold. "Griffin needs the data on those explosions from HQ. Fetch it."

"Sure." Leopold started towards his car, then paused. "Vivienne, she didn't want me delivering stuff. Has she changed her mind to torment me again?"

Anna could not help but feel Leopold almost looked forward to it.

Vivienne wagged a finger. "Mr. Wolf can't go to HQ. You're the best fit. Anna will handle it from there."

Leopold sighed with mock bravery as if he were ready to face the gallows. "It's okay. I can make this sacrifice for Vivienne."

Vivienne pressed her lips. Her gaze towards Leopold was a complex blend of amusement and exasperation.

Percival shared a similar look, exchanging a knowing glance with her.

Vivienne leaned her head on Percival's shoulder, almost nestling into his side. The usually statuesque woman suddenly seemed delicate and endearing.

Leopold silently got into his car, and with a press of the accelerator, he was gone from sight.

Vivienne's eyes twinkled with mirth as she said to Anna, "Let's head home."

"What? Shouldn't I stay here and wait to hand off the documents?" Anna asked, puzzled.

"No need." Vivienne smacked her lips thoughtfully. "Mr. Wolf, I think skipping home might be a good idea."

Percival nodded in agreement. "Yeah, why don't we call up Thomas and treat ourselves to a feast?"