The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

As the words fell, Arthur lifted a glass of wine, clinking it against Percival's, "Kid, I admit you're impressive. My daughter marrying you, I reckon she'll find happiness. And don't hold it against me for blocking you two initially. It wasn't until mid-life that I found my true love and discovered I had a daughter. To this day, my emotions have been a rollercoaster."

Arthur downed his drink in one go, "It's hard for me to let her go, wanting to keep her by my side a few more years. But this girl, her heart's already with you."

He looked solemnly at Percival, "Percival, I'm stepping back now. My daughter's in your hands. If you let her suffer even the slightest, I'll never forgive you."

"Don't worry, I'm not one for pretty words. Just watch me. If I ever make Vivienne shed a tear, you won't need to come after me; I'll come to you, ready to face the consequences," Percival declared, finishing his drink. This was his promise to Arthur, and to Vivienne.

He understood Arthur, just as he understood the future version of himself.

If one day he and Vivienne had a daughter and she got a boyfriend, he'd probably go even beyond what Arthur had done.

Percival refilled both his and Arthur's glasses, "This one's to you!"

Without any unnecessary words, his toast encapsulated everything he wanted to say.

At that point, Arthur, finding no words to add, simply downed the drink Percival offered, accepting this future son-in-law.

Percival then sat back down.

Midway through the meal, Dracon suddenly stood up, "Dad, I've got something pressing to deal with. Need to step out." Yorick's expression darkened for a moment, but given the context, he coldly asked, "Does it have to be now?"

"Yes!" Arthur didn't hesitate.

Yorick opened his mouth to protest but eventually nodded, "Go then."

Dracon left in a hurry, not even bothering to say goodbye to the Ellington family.

Vivienne watched him leave, a flicker of thought in her eyes.

After a brief silence, Richard chimed in, breaking the awkwardness, "Vivienne, on such a joyous day, won't you have a drink with your granddad?" "Of course, Granddad."Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

As Vivienne reached for her glass, a large hand stopped her.

Arthur, as if panicking, quickly interjected, "Richard, I'll drink this one for Vivienne. She's still young, let's not have her drink."

The last time she had too much, the aftermath was something he hadn't yet recovered from.

Percival also chimed in, "Granddad, Vivienne can't hold her liquor well. Best not to let her drink."

Richard paused, then, catching on to their protective stance, laughed, "Alright, alright, no drinking then. We'll substitute with tea. But what's this about you drinking for her?"

Vivienne pinched her forehead - these two, in the span of one drink, had formed a united front.

Clearly, they were worried she'd make a scene if she got drunk again.

Knowing her limits, she didn't protest, merely lifting her tea cup to Richard, "To you, Granddad. We're family now."

"Indeed, family."

Richard nodded, satisfied with the exchange.

As the dinner wound down and guests began to leave, Richard, a bit tipsy, clung to Yorick, eagerly discussing their next chess match, "We must play again soon. I refuse to believe I'll lose again..." Yorick's lips twitched, but for the sake of family relations, he reluctantly agreed, "Alright, next time I'll let you win."

He'd never met anyone who played chess so passionately yet so terribly.

As they parted ways, Cecilia pulled Vivienne aside, "Vivienne, let's

shopping for some nice set

and

jewelry soon. You might not need them, but we must uphold tradition." en.swhovels.net

Vivienne appreciated Cecilia's thoughtfulness, nodding in agreement. Percival watched from a distance, his gaze never leaving Vivienne. Their eyes met across the room, sharing silent messages of affection.

As the Linklater family car drove away, Yorick turned to leave, but Vivienne called out, "Granddad, aren't you forgetting something?"

Yorick paused, his figure seeming to age suddenly, then decisively said, "Do what you must. I can't protect him forever."

Walking away slowly, his steps heavy with resignation.

Vivienne watched him go, her eyes deep with thought.

Arthur and Sasha approached her from behind, "Everything's under control. No one here will harm you."

Vivienne turned, surprised by Arthur's assurance.

Sasha smiled gently, patting her shoulder, "You might doubt your dad's cooking, but never his ability." Vivienne, "..."

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom, a man in black frantically searched through drawers.

"Why isn't it here?"

"It was supposed to be here, damn it. Where did that old man hide it..."

"Looking for this, Dracon?" Vivienne's voice cut through the silence, holding up an amber pendant.

Arthur and Sasha watched coldly from the doorway.

Dracon trembled, his voice faltering, "How did you...?"

"Want to know how we got in, or how we found you?"

Vivienne stepped forward, a smirk playing on her lips as she faced her so-called Uncle Jack. "If we didn't corner you, how else could we make you give up completely?" Jack's face turned pale, and he made a move to escape through the window.

But in a flash, Vivienne flicked her wrist, and several silver darts embedded themselves in Jack's body, pinning him in place.

Arthur's anger surged. He stormed over, grabbed Jack by the scruff of his neck, and hoisted him into the air.

"Trying to run away?"

"You haven't even settled the score

for conspiring against Aunt Mary last time, and now you're plotting against Dad? You really think you can dance in my danger zone?"

The immobilization caused by the darts, combined with Arthur's imposing aura, left Jack Speechless and red-faced, managing only to

II

beg, "Brother, please... let me go...

Arthur, his eyes blazing with unresolved fury, threw Jack to the ground.

Because of the immobilization, Jack hit the floor stiffly, with a thud, like a wax figure.

"This is on you, little brother."

With that, Arthur stormed out of the room.