The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 322

Vivienne shot Dorian a frosty glance without uttering a word.

However, Richard was not one to keep his thoughts to himself. “Dorian, if you were so concerned, you should’ve set Paul straight from the get-go. You didn’t utter a single word before. What’s holding you back?”

Dorian was left speechless by that blunt comment. With the situation taking a sour turn, Cordelia quickly intervened. “We’re outsiders after all. It's not our place to meddle in the Ellingtons' family affairs. We thought that with Percival and Richard on her side, Vivienne surely wouldn’t be bullied.”

“Really?” Richard responded in a suggestive tone. “I’m tired. I’m off to get some rest. You all can stay a bit longer.”

Quick to reject the invitation, Dorian said, “No need. Thank you for your hospitality, Richard. We don’t want to overstay our welcome.”

Having said that, he naturally wouldn’t insist on staying.

Percival slung his arm around Vivienne’s shoulder. “I’ll walk you out.”

Vivienne glanced at him and smiled. “Sure.”

Percival was silent throughout the incident, but Vivienne could sense his anger. She knew he was holding back out of respect for Richard. That was the only reason he was refraining from taking action against Paul.

But in the end, he couldn’t resist.

That kick certainly did a number on Paul.

Percival and Vivienne led the way, when Dorian and Cordelia awkwardly followed behind them, their expressions subtly changing.

As the dinner progressed, they exposed their true colors.

Vivienne was deliberately testing them, and everyone else was there to watch the drama unfold.

“What do we do now?” Cordelia lowered her voice as she shot Dorian a meaningful glance.

Dorian didn’t utter a word. His gaze was fixed on Vivienne, who was just a few feet away.

If he didn’t act soon, he feared...

They had reached the courtyard of the Ellington Estate. Percival was about to fetch the car to drive Vivienne and the others home when a figure suddenly emerged from the bushes and lunged at Vivienne.

Percival saw a flash of silver in the stranger’s hands as he strode forward. His brow instantly furrowed.

“Vivienne! Look out!”

The voice wasn’t Percival’s but Dorian’s, who was trailing behind them. As Percival shielded Vivienne, Dorian lunged forward, tackling the intruder.

The stranger swung his knife and slashed Dorian’s arm.

Blood spurted out, soaking his shirt.

“Oh my God!”

The sight sent the nearby maid into a panic. Cordelia’s legs turned to jelly, making her unable to move forward. “Dorian!”

After Percival gave the signal, the Ellington bodyguards hidden in the shadows emerged and swiftly subdued the stranger.

Within two minutes, the situation was under control.

Percival glanced at Vivienne, who looked calm and composed. He then approached the stranger, his voice steady as he asked, “Who sent you?”

The stranger clamped his mouth shut, refusing to speak.

Percival chuckled coldly. “So you don’t want to talk? I have a hundred ways to make you squeal.”

With a slight flick of his finger, the guards got the message. They bound the man, ready to take him away.

“I want answers.” Percival's gaze was like an invisible blade that sliced the man's skin. “Go easy on him.”

Death was too easy. He would make that man wish he was never born.