The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 328

Paul was struggling with all his might. He was desperate, and his voice was so hoarse that it began to hurt.

He was the eldest grandson of the Ellington family and the future heir. How could he risk having a criminal record? It was a stain he couldn't wash away, one that would haunt him forever.

Every word Paul spoke was followed by a violent cough. The pain from his fractured ribs was nearly unbearable.

His mother, Cathy, was in disbelief. She relentlessly pleaded with the police to let him go. "Officers, there must be some misunderstanding! My boy could never commit a crime. He's innocent! It's all Vivienne's doing! She's trying to frame him! You should be arresting her! She's the real criminal!"

Cathy was crying and making a scene, but the police paid her no mind and took away a weak-legged Paul.

She followed them while crying and pounding on the police car, refusing to leave.

The police, citing obstruction of justice, took Cathy along as well.

With Paul and Cathy gone, the Brooks household finally quieted down.

Everyone had been spectators to the drama all night, with each one lost in their thoughts.

"Alright, it's getting late." Paula said, clearing her throat to break the silence. "I think we should all get some rest."

"Hold on." Vivienne looked at her and spoke with an indifferent tone. "You seem to have forgotten something."

"Right." Ashley added. "They caught the one who kidnapped Thaddeus, but the insider in the Brooks family hasn't been found yet."

"An insider?!" Paula immediately lost her temper and began shouting, "Just because those people said so, you believe them? They're just trying to deflect the blame! No member of the Brooks family would ever do such things. Stop making false accusations!"

"No one said it was you." Judith retorted while giving Paula a sidelong glance. "Why are you so defensive?"

"Maybe she feels guilty." Carl hinted. "She's always disliked Vivienne, so it's not surprising that she's involved in this mess."

"Nonsense!" Paula was about to lose her cool. "A video can't prove anything! It's all a lie!"

"But Paul has been taken away by the police." Ashley looked at Judith's expression. "Could this all be fake?"

Everyone knew Paula's bias against Vivienne, and now there was video evidence to boot.

Although no one directly accused her, her sudden hostility suggested a guilty conscience.

"Thaddeus." Vivienne didn't say much and just gently touched Thaddeus' head. "Tell me, who took you away from here?"

Thaddeus looked up at her, then glanced fearfully at the others. "Sis... I..."

"You don't need to be afraid." Judith comforted him gently. "Your grandmother will back you up. Just tell the truth."

"It was... it was..." Thaddeus hesitated, but after finding courage from Vivienne’s presence, he finally spoke. "It was Paula."

"You're lying!" Paula immediately rushed over and attempted to hit him. "Who taught you to say these things?! It's Vivienne; it must be Vivienne!"

Percival grabbed Paula's hand and shoved her aside.

Paula stumbled and fell, twisting her ankle and instantly turning pale from pain.