The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 757

Kaitlyn knew all too well that things couldn't be that simple; there must have been someone fanning the flames behind the scenes.

But by then, the Littletons had fallen from grace. Those who once flocked around her family with flattering words were nowhere to be found after her parents' untimely deaths. To seek their help now would be nothing short of a pipe dream.

Yet the persecution from the ancient warrior lineages did not cease.

Tears streamed down Kaitlyn's cheeks as she struggled to catch her breath, coughing twice. "My father-in-law, Julian, ever since someone accused him of taking bribes... It's been one thing after another. Private tutoring, disciplining students too harshly. And now... they're accusing him of... of indecency with a student."

Julian had once been a celebrated teacher at Rivenwood High, but now his reputation was in tatters.

His wife, Sadie, couldn't continue with her job either, taken in for questioning by the school board time and again. Only after the school let them go did the tumult finally begin to subside.

"This time, they say... the girl who accused Julian... she jumped from her building and took her life. Her parents think it's Julian's fault, so... so they called the cops and had him taken away."

Vivienne listened intently to Kaitlyn's account, her brow furrowed throughout.

Percival drove in silence, absorbing every word, before finally speaking up, "What's the girl's name? Is she still in Rivenwood?"

Kaitlyn's voice was shaky, "Her name is Cassidy. After the incident, I heard her family was so ashamed that they moved to Havenwood."

"Havenwood?"

Vivienne hadn't heard that name in ages. She paused for a moment before reassuringly smiling, "Don't worry. What's done is done, and it's high time we closed this chapter."

Grateful but aware of the difficulty ahead, Kaitlyn started to protest, but Vivienne had already turned away, dialing on her cell phone, "Check for a family in Havenwood, daughter named Cassidy, moved there five years ago from Rivenwood, left because of a scandal involving a teacher at Seafield High School."

After ending the call, she texted Draven, [Dig into the bribery case involving Julian and Sadie. I want details, as much as you can find.]

"Vivienne, will this really work?" Kaitlyn watched her, at a loss for words, her heart swelling with gratitude for the most impulsive decision she had made years ago, which turned out to be the best one. Without Vivienne, she might have already crumbled under the pressure from the Abernathy family and given in!

Vivienne said nothing, simply patting Kaitlyn's hand to comfort her.

Percival, eyes fixed on the road ahead, spoke, "Bribery and unauthorized tutoring are one thing; allegations of indecency are another, especially after so much time has passed. Any surveillance from the old office would be long gone. Are there any witnesses who can vouch for your father-in-law?"

Kaitlyn bit her lip and shook her head, "No. Once Cassidy pointed her finger at Julian, those people didn't even bother investigating. They just took her word for it. Julian wasn't jailed, but he was detained for weeks. During that time, Sadie, Tyler, and I tried everything to appeal, but it was no use."