The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 351

Jeffrey's eyes bulged in disbelief, and for a long moment, he struggled to process what he had just heard.

After a brief pause, he snapped back to reality and roared at Fiona Ellington, "Are you out of your mind? Ten billion dollars to them? Do we look like we're running a charity here?"

With ten billion dollars, you could open a string of world-class art galleries! He thought.

Fiona must have lost her marbles by giving out such an astronomical number.

Fiona shot him an icy glance before turning to Vivienne and Percival, "Give me an account number. I'll transfer the funds to you!"

She wasn't offering this fortune for Jeffrey's sake, but to keep Percival and Vivienne from dismantling the other art galleries.

Some of the galleries Jeffrey had established were a front for under-the-table dealings, which were secrets that outsiders must never uncover. It was a network she had painstakingly built, hidden from her entire family.

Even Jeffrey, the supposed head, was clueless about it.

If these secrets were ever exposed, she'd stand to lose up to thirty billion dollars.

When weighed against ten billion, it was a no-brainer. She had to protect those assets.

And Fiona didn't buy for a second that Percival could go after her family without a reason.

Mr. Percy's stature alone had put him at the zenith of power; he wouldn't bat an eyelid at a few art galleries, let alone a few hundred billion.

Yet, he was insistent on tearing down the galleries. She suspected he knew something.

It seemed Percival had to go. His very existence was the most significant threat to her.

With Percival around, the inheritance wouldn't fall into her hands even if the old man died. Not to mention that Richard Ellington was still alive.

If Percival were out of the picture, the other Ellington nonentities wouldn't stand a chance against her.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow and her gaze harbored meaning, "Alright!"

She promptly provided her account details.

"I'll need to discuss this with my family first, given the sum involved. You'll have the money by tonight at the latest!" Fiona declared confidently. It seemed that she was not the least bit worried about whether her parents, Henry and Heloise Ellington, would agree to the transaction.

Vivienne nodded, "Agreed."

With that, she made a call to the National Gallery's secretary, and soon after, the team that had come to seal off the premises withdrew.

Jeffrey watched in fury as Fiona casually promised to hand over ten billion dollars. He stormed off, neglecting the gallery's guests. He had to get back and convince his parents not to release the funds.

Fiona also took her leave after she she nodded to Percival and Vivienne.

Once they'd left, Percival and Vivienne made to leave too. But they were suddenly halted by a voice.

"Miss! May I purchase that painting from you?"

Vivienne turned to see an elderly man leaning on a cane; his hair was almost entirely white with just a few strands of black remaining.

He looked to be in his seventies, dressed modestly but exuding a palpable authority. His aged, cloudy eyes seemed sharp as they fixed on her.

Vivienne paused before responding, "This painting is a copy."

"I'm aware," the old man replied, "but you wouldn't sell the original, would you?"

Vivienne smiled and nodded, "Exactly!"

"The person in this painting feels familiar to me. I'd like to buy it to help find her," the old man disclosed without reservation. "I hope you will sell it to me!"

Vivienne looked up, "You recognize the person in this painting?"