The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 555

As soon as the door swung open, there was Jerry, lounging on the couch with a contract in hand, earbuds dangling from his ears, grinning at Finnian.

"Finnian, long time no see, buddy."

Finnian slammed the door shut, immediately storming into another bedroom.

Holy smokes, Larry was here! He was fiddling with a pocketknife, grinning ear to ear. "Hey Finnian, missed me?"

Finnian had caught on by now. He stood at the door, taking deep breaths before bellowing, "You bunch of troublemakers, get out here, now!"

Door after door opened, and everyone except Leopold lined up in front of Finnian.

Smiles were plastered on their faces, but their eyes were full of schemes.

Dawson burst out furiously, "Do you have any idea how much your funeral cost me? Pay up!"

Jerry looked genuinely baffled. "Finnian, what's with the fake death stunt? You're breaking our hearts."

Daniel, fists pumping in the air, yelled, "I ditched so much stuff to come back for your supposed passing, nearly got myself killed on the road!"

Eric, counting on his fingers with a sinister tone, added, "I almost blew myself up in the lab trying to figure out what killed you, and here you are, alive and kicking!"

Donald was grinding his teeth. "Fun to fake your death, huh? You know how long it took us to crawl out of the mental scar of your 'death'?"

Brian, frowning deeply, pointed outside to a husky tied up. "Finnian, you owe us an explanation."

Larry clenched his fist, threatening, "If you don't clear things up, I'm gonna let that dog tear up your vegetable patch on South Mountain."

Gary was livid at the mention of the vegetable patch, saying, "Those plants were my blood, sweat, and tears under the scorching 95-degree sun!"

The eight disciples surrounded Finnian like debt collectors from hell. Poor Finnian felt his brain swell.

Thank goodness little Leopold was not around, or his wailing would have pushed Finnian over the edge!

Vivienne was relishing the drama downstairs, sipping red wine with a smirk.

She was not naive; Finnian agreeing to stay with her so easily meant he was planning a getaway.

She and Percival could not keep tabs on him alone, but now, with this crew...

“Let's see him try!” She thought.

Percival crept down silently, sitting next to Vivienne, casually draping an arm around her shoulders.

But the disciples upstairs, as if they had eyes in the back of their heads, glared down at Percival, "Hands off her, now!"

Finnian, fists raised, egged them on. "Go on, my disciples, rescue Vivienne!"

"Finnian, you'd better explain yourself first!"

Finnian's raised fists sank once more.

Percival's hand not only stayed on Vivienne's shoulder but pulled her even closer.

"Where's Leopold?" Percival inquired.

Leaning on Percival's shoulder, Vivienne said with gravity, "He mentioned something about Vance needing him."

Percival's brow furrowed slightly; it must be that mission Vance mentioned earlier.

After hearing Finnian out, Percival was convinced the ancient warrior lineage was deep waters indeed.

What was Vance plotting by sending Leopold into the thick of it?

Vivienne set down her wine glass, yawning. "Keep an eye on Finnian tonight. I'm hitting the hay."