The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 506

Vivienne savored the last bite of her soft-boiled egg, the yolk creamy and just the right amount of runny, a perfect morning indulgence.

With Juliet's insights, the picture was becoming clearer—Maddox, Yuri, and Zelda were all of the complex Perez family puzzle pieces.

But who had the power to tamper with a paternity test? Among them, who did want her to be recognized as part of the Perez family?

And then there was Willa.

Draven had messaged last night, his words still fresh in her mind: [The lab in Rivenwood was blown sky-high by someone named Willa.]

That Willa had to be the same one entangled with the Perez family. The waters she was wading into were murky—and it was a tale not to be unraveled in a mere day or two.

"Miss, take your time with your meal. I have things to tend to," Juliet said, having briefed Vivienne on the Perez family's intricate dynamics. With that, she busied herself elsewhere, leaving more unsaid than spoken.

Vivienne understood Juliet's position—all those years within the Perez family had taught her a great deal about discretion.

Percival's phone buzzed. It was a call from Mara.

"Percival, you and the missus up yet?"

"Yeah, what's up?" Percival inquired.

Mara chuckled. "How about a swim? My friend just opened a new pool, and we're all invited!"

Percival switched the phone to speaker, looking to Vivienne for her take.

She nodded, indifferent to the location.

"Send over the address," Percival said, seeing Vivienne's approval.

"Will do, see you soon!" Mara's voice bubbled with excitement as she ended the call.

Percival's expression darkened, a chill briefly passing over his features.

Vivienne slid his egg onto her plate, now covered in a rich smear of ketchup. "Mr. Wolf, what's on your mind?"

"Just wondering why you're stealing my egg," he teased, playfully nudging her nose, the shadows in his eyes lifting.

Vivienne polished off the egg in a few bites. "Quality protein for the swim ahead. Can't let it go to waste."

He nodded in agreement. "Indeed, swimming is quite the energy burner."

They shared a knowing smile, their connection beyond words.

...

An hour later, they pulled up to the poolside, with Mara eagerly awaiting them.

"Percival, sister-in-law!" Mara squeezed in between them, linking arms with Vivienne affectionately. "I didn't get a chance to properly introduce myself yesterday. I'm Mara Boyd, just Mara is fine."

Vivienne greeted her with a polite smile, "Hello, I'm Vivienne."

"I know all about you! Auntie told me—perfumer Q and Master Eulalia. I've been dying to add you on social media, but she wouldn't let me. She said when we met, I should ask you myself."

Mara gazed at Vivienne with admiration, though her excitement was lost on the discerning eyes of Vivienne, who could see through people at a glance.

"Sure," Vivienne replied, maintaining her composure.

Gillian Ashford, the heiress of the affluent Ashford family.

She was the lady Wendy was adamant that he marry.

She was also the proprietor of the local swimming club.

Percival withdrew his gaze, every strand of his hair radiating detachment. “I don’t recall.”

Biting her lip coyly and casting her eyes downward, Gillian looked at the picture of vulnerability. “Mr. Ellington, it’s okay if you don’t remember me. We can get to know each other again. My name is Gillian.”

Percival glanced at the delicate hand she extended towards him and looked up. “You’ve got lipstick on your teeth.”

A few people in the VIP area could not help but snicker at his blunt remark.

Who would have thought Percival could be so tactless? Even if he felt the need to point it out, he could have done so quietly, sparing the lady’s feelings.

And, of course, they did not expect someone to put on makeup for swimming. No matter how waterproof the products claimed to be, they would not stand a chance against a prolonged dip.

Gillian withdrew her hand in embarrassment and quickly grabbed a mirror to inspect herself.

There was no trace of lipstick; it was clear that Percival was just teasing her.

Setting down the mirror, she asked, “Mr. Ellington, why make such a joke?”

Percival looked at her with an impassive face, “I got it wrong. You just have a big mouth.”

Another round of laughter erupted from the crowd, and they could not bear to listen any longer. They started swimming away one by one, lest they run out of steam from all the laughter.