The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 530

Patrick's limbs were beyond his control, his body betraying him as he followed Vivienne's retreating steps.

Behind him, Gillian's heart-wrenching cries for her father echoed through the air, but he was powerless to respond.

Patrick finally felt the command of his body returned when they reached a secluded cabin on the ship.

But now, with both Percival and Anna guarding the door, escape was an impossibility.

"Kneel," Vivienne commanded, her voice serene as she sat on the seat representing authority.

Patrick fell to his knees with a thud, not out of compulsion but from the sheer force of Vivienne's presence.

His legs tingled with numbness, sharp pains shooting through his knees as if a thousand needles were pricking them.

Beads of sweat formed on his brow, trickling down his temples and disappearing onto his shoulders.

Vivienne sat with her legs crossed, her slender neck held high with disdain, a hint of scorn in her gaze.

As Patrick knelt, Vivienne wondered what her mother had seen in him. How could such a spineless man be entrusted with the critical technology of bionics?

She regarded him with contempt and curiosity, slowly pulling the small "Morning Glory" from her pocket and tossing it at Patrick.

Instinctively, he caught it, his forehead bulging with veins, paralyzed with fear.

When he saw what it was, he finally heaved a sigh of relief.

He had thought she had thrown a knife at him!

"Madam, what is this?" he stammered.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, her voice calm. "A miniature bomb."

Shocked to his core, Patrick scrambled behind the couch for cover.

He thought it was a knife, but it was even worse - a bomb! Vivienne was more reckless than his boss.

Who in their right mind tosses a bomb around like a toy?

Observing Patrick's reaction, Vivienne could almost be certain of his innocence regarding the bomb incident that evening.

"It was found on your ship," she stated, her legs shifting position as she lounged back on the sofa, lazily eyeing Patrick.

Patrick crawled back towards her, panting, "Madam, I swear I had no idea about this. Even if we set aside your presence on the ship, my daughter and I were there, too. I would never risk our lives by planting a bomb. This has nothing to do with me."

"I know," Vivienne murmured absentmindedly, frowning slightly.

Patrick exhaled in relief and began to rise, "Could this be connected to the Boyd family?"

Vivienne's gaze sharpened as she looked at him. "You know something?"

"No, no, I just find it odd. After the engagement party fiasco, I cut all ties with the Boyd family. But for the sake of the bionic tech, I could not completely sever our relationship. I thought of sending an invite, and the Boyd family's head came to me before I could.

He wanted to apologize, claiming their matriarch was indisposed and that he would represent her. I agreed, and during preparations yesterday, my men told me the Boyd family's head wanted to drop off a floral arrangement. I did not question it, but it's suspicious now that I think about it. I had always dealt with Eliza, not the head of the Boyd family."

Vivienne nodded, then a signal beeped in her earpiece—it was from Leopold.

The shipment had arrived.

At the same time, Patrick's phone buzzed with a message. He wanted to check it but could not do so in front of Vivienne, so he remained kneeling silently.

Vivienne yawned, her eyes closing. "Let me think."

With that, she went silent.

Patrick dared not to move. He knew Vivienne was not dozing off but contemplating his fate.

The matter of the bomb had touched a nerve, and his pale excuses and baseless suspicions held little weight.

Patrick grew increasingly anxious as his phone continued to vibrate in his pocket.

If the shipment had arrived, just deliver it.