The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 237

Percival's countenance cooled. He stepped forward to stand protectively beside Vivienne, his gaze hardening as he turned to Paula. His presence radiated an icy threat.

"Scott." Percival's voice cut through the tension. "It seems the Brooks family isn't too thrilled about Vivienne's return."

Paula was well aware of who Percival was, but his engagement to Vivienne was a secret kept within the confines of Havenwood, and so their relationship was not well known in Rivenwood.

"Percival, since when do the Ellingtons meddle in our family matters? Have you taken a shine to this little minx?" Paula's eyes switched between Vivienne and Percival as a cold smirk appeared on her lips. "Look at you, barely out of pigtails and already leading men on. Quite the precocious one, aren't you?"

"Paula!" Judith's stern rebuke echoed. "Watch your tongue! Mr. Ellington is Vivienne's betrothed!"

Paula's expression wavered. Bitterness began lacing her words as she shot a glance at Scott. "Your daughter sure is lucky. She reeled in such a catch."

"That's enough!" Scott's patience had worn thin. "If you have a problem with me, then take it up with me. Leave Vivienne out of it!"

"Oh, haven't you heard of the phrase, 'the sins of the father fall upon the child'?" Paula retorted. "Your daughter returns to a life of comfort and an engaged man, while my own has been missing for fourteen years! Why does your daughter get it all?"

Scott was at a loss for words. For years, his sister, Paula, had used this argument to chastise him.

He felt guilt and resentment, but Vivienne should not be the one to bear the brunt of it.

"Leading men on?" Vivienne laughed as her hands casually slipped into her pockets. "I heard you were barely nineteen when you drugged your husband-to-be, got pregnant, and marched over to the Miller family to demand a wedding, breaking up his engagement in the process. I must say, I can't hold a candle to you."

The room fell into an awkward silence. Paula's manipulation of her husband, Mark Miller, was no secret. Many remembered her tantrums in the Miller household and her relentless harassment of Mark's ex-fiancée.

This was the first time the truth about Paula drugging Mark was spoken out loud, even if it had been suspected all along.

Paula's face flushed with embarrassment. She hadn't expected Vivienne to be aware of her past indiscretions.

"How dare you speak to your aunt like this?!" A young man appeared at the top of the stairs, rushing to his mother's side with his hand raised to slap Vivienne.

Percival's eyes darkened at the audacity. Would he dare lay a hand on his fiancée?

Before he could react, Vivienne had already caught the man's wrist in mid-air, twisting it viciously.

"Ah!" The young man screamed in pain.