The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

At that moment, Sasha tasted the spaghetti that Percival had passed her, the familiar flavor once again flooding her mouth. Her expression changed rapidly before settling into a calm demeanor; after all, showing too much emotion could give her away.

"Is it not good?" Arthur's heart sank.

In an effort to protect Arthur's confidence, Sasha hastily shook her head, "No, not at all. I think they're both delicious. It's just that they each have their unique charm. If I had to choose, I'd say it's a tie." Vivienne, "..."

Percival, "..."

Arthur was touched by Sasha's blatant favoritism, though he already knew the outcome of the contest.

To ensure fairness, the bowls had been mixed up.

Only by checking the marks under the bowls could they know who made which dish.

But now, it seemed unnecessary to look.

He was well aware that his culinary creations were not up to par, even by his own standards.

Only his wife stood by him every time, supporting everything he wanted to do.

Arthur's disappointment was evident, prompting Sasha to gently take his hand and reassure him.

"Honey, it's okay. You're just not cut out for this, but it doesn't mean you're not a good father. Our daughter is grown up. Express yourself in your own way; you don't have to struggle with this." Vivienne rarely spoke up, but this time she agreed, "I second that."

Mainly because she truly did not want to eat any more of those dishes.

It was torture.

Arthur brightened up, "Sweetheart, are you saying you're finally accepting me?"

Vivienne deadpanned, "I'm just agreeing you shouldn't cook."

Arthur's spirits dimmed again.

Percival smirked slightly, "If you're interested, I could help."

Arthur, already irritable, bristled at Percival's provocation, "I don't need your help, I have someone to teach me!"

Percival nodded, "As you wish, but I hope you'll adhere to the agreed-upon rules of the contest."

Arthur huffed, realizing this was what Percival had been waiting for.

"But it's not just up to me. Vivienne's uncles from the Perez family would never agree, and you know her standing within the Perez family. If they don't agree, my hands are tied." Arthur's tone suggested a challenge: if you're so capable, try convincing the Perez family.

Vivienne, "...'

She knew it, the old fox.

Percival, as if anticipating this, gave Vivienne a reassuring look before respectfully addressing Arthur, "I only came to seek your opinion. As for the uncles, I will personally visit them and ensure you are not put in a difficult position."

Percival's smooth talk left Arthur temporarily at a loss for words.

Remembering the protective nature of the Perez brothers, a dark gleam flashed in Arthur's eyes, "Then I wish you success."

Seeing Percival out, at the doorstep, Percival casually glanced back at the Linklater family, "Have you noticed anything these past few days?"

Vivienne's gaze deepened, "Nothing so far, but the quieter it is, the more likely someone's about to lose patience."

The next day.

With Arthur abstaining from cooking, the family joined Grandpa at the table for meals.

During dinner, Dracon suddenly spoke up, "Dad, Auntie has been complaining about the new chef's cooking, saying she can't get used to it. I visited her yesterday, and she looked pale, plus with her injuries, I'm worried..."

"Then we'll find someone else." Yorick said sternly.

"But finding a new chef could take days. Maybe, for now, Auntie could..."

Before Dracon could finish, Yorick's glare made his legs go weak.

"Dad, I'm just concerned for Auntie's safety..."

Arthur's lips curled into a cold smile, "You could move in with her, show your filial piety that way."Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

"Big brother, you..." Dracon's face turned red, but he dared not say another word against Arthur's fierce gaze.

His fear of Arthur was deep-rooted.

Just then, the butler hurried in, reporting to Yorick, "Sir, the Wright family has sent someone."

Yorick's expression darkened, "They've got some nerve!"

"Who is it?" Vivienne suddenly asked.

"The Wright family's eldest daughter, Alyssa. She came to personally apologize to the young master, kneeling outside our front gate, saying..." Sasha finished for him, "Saying what?"

The butler appeared troubled, "She said if she doesn't receive the young master's forgiveness, she won't rise from her knees."

Sasha narrowed her eyes, her tone indifferent, "If she enjoys kneeling so much, let her."

Then, turning to Yorick, "Dad, I've finished eating."

As Arthur stood up with her, he instructed the butler, "Let her kneel further away, don't let her dirty the Linklater family's grounds." Yorick remained silent, but his anger was evidently even more intense than Arthur's.

The Wright family, a prominent family in Rivenwood, had allowed their young to act so disgracefully, tarnishing their reputation. Especially Alyssa, harboring ill intentions towards Arthur and showing maliciousness, was no good at all.

Dracon kept his head down, not daring to breathe too loudly.

After the last incident, Yorick had severely reprimanded him, questioning if he had water in his brain for helping outsiders tarnish their family's name.

If it happened again, the Linklater family would not keep him.

Vivienne glanced at Dracon, then outside, her eyes cold.

The Wright family, courting disaster.

Outside the Linklater family's gates, Alyssa kneeled, her white dress and pallid face making her look as if a breeze could knock her over. The gate opened, and Alyssa, hoping to see Arthur, was disappointed to find the butler instead, her heart sinking further.

However, the butler's next words sparked a glimmer of hope in her, "Ms. Wright, the young master asked me to deliver a message to you." Alyssa's eyes flickered with emotion, "Is Arthur.....?”

The butler relayed Arthur's exact words to her, "The young master said to keep your distance and not to soil the Linklater estate." Alyssa's expression froze instantly.

She thought after everything she had done for him, Arthur wouldn't even offer her a shred of dignity.

After delivering the message, the butler went inside, leaving Alyssa under the watchful eyes of two security guards.

Though unaware of the details of the previous incident, they were held responsible by association.

This time, they were determined not to let anyone like her get close to the Linklater family again.

Ignored by everyone, Alyssa barely lasted three hours before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

The Linklaters didn't bother with her.

In the end, it was the Wright family who came to pick her up.

Upon hearing the news, Brianna rushed to Alyssa's room.

Seeing Alyssa's pale face on the bed, Brianna narrowed her eyes, a look of concern washing over her, "Sis what happened? How did you get hurt so badly?"

Upon seeing Brianna, Alyssa quickly adjusted her clothes, instinctively not wanting her to see her in such a state.

"It's nothing, just low blood sugar."

Brianna smirked slightly, deliberately

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saying, "Sis, heard all about it. How could the Linklaters be so heartless? Even if they didn't consider your feelings for Arthur, they shouldn't have treated you like this, especially since you're the eldest daughter of the Wright family."