The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 366

Deep in the heart of the wilderness, where legends of old feuds and battles were as common as the mist clung to the mountains, a lineage of warriors existed so ancient that their origins were lost to time. The locals, simple folk who preferred their peace and quiet, rarely spoke of these warrior families. It was not out of disdain but fear—fear that a wrong word might lead to a fate so dire not even their remains would be found.

Vivienne, propping her chin with her hand, pondered for a moment before asking, "If you folks stay clear of those ancient warrior lineages, what's the deal with you and Griffin?"

"Don't get me started on Griffin," Leopold grumbled, his face twisted in displeasure. "She's a classmate of my cousin. The Martinez family must've known about the Rivenwood families shunning their kind, so they tucked her away in a relative's home, keeping her true identity under wraps. Nobody knew she was a Martinez, a true blue blood of the ancient warrior lineage until she was 14 when she patented some kind of combat aircraft design."

Vivienne's eyes lit up. This woman was a talent!

Seeing Vivienne's reaction, Leopold sank deeper into his funk and muttered, "Vivienne, could you please just let it be? I can handle my own messes."

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, "Sure!"

But Leopold clearly lacked self-awareness.

A genius like Griffin, a girl who lived with such raw passion—how could she ever let go?

Relieved by Vivienne's promise, Leopold exhaled deeply, only to feel the icy gaze of death upon him.

He stiffened.

In the midst of dealing with that woman, he had forgotten about Percival.

"Erm, Percival, please, put today's bill on me and ask for anything you need," Leopold offered, bowing and scraping, internally cursing his luck.

How on earth was he supposed to appease Percival now?

Desperation crept into his thoughts.

Percival's lips curled into a gentle smile, veiling a lethal edge, "Mr. Sterling, how could I possibly impose on you?"

Leopold was speechless.

“I'm begging you, just stop talking.” He thought but dared not say a word.

...

At the Vanguard Agency.

Calista was dragged into this place without a chance to object and thrown into a dark, claustrophobic room.

It was empty, and she dared not make a move.

The darkness amplified every fear, and the slightest noise could make her flinch.

Bang!

Startled by her own movements, she fell to the floor. Just then, the lights flickered on, making her yelp in alarm.

Once she calmed down, Calista tried to make sense of her capture. They accused her of using infants for viral research.

It was preposterous! She was innocent.

What was going on?

Her body stuck to the wall, filled with anxiety, as if she was waiting for her inevitable death.

No!

She had to leave! She could not be locked up here!

“Hello? Anyone? You guys got the wrong person! I didn’t use infants for viral research like you said I did. Let me out! I’m from the TIC Research Institute. I can bring you to my lab if you don't know what that is. You absolutely won’t find any traces of virus research in there. Someone!”

However, her protests went unheard, her cries muffled by the soundproof walls.