The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

As soon as Vivienne descended the stairs, her ears caught wind of the unfolding drama. A sly glimmer crossed her eyes. This was a spectacle she wouldn't miss for the world. Just as Alyssa lowered her gaze, Vivienne interjected, "Hold up there!"

Approaching Alyssa, Vivienne crouched slightly, looking down at her. Her tone was casual but carried an undeniable chill. "Words alone don't cut it. Best to make things a bit more... concrete." Alyssa eyed Vivienne warily. "What are you up to?"

Vivienne's lips curled into a cold smile. "Just returning the favor. You tarnished my mom's reputation online with that video. It's only fair I do the same to you."

With that, Vivienne whipped out her smartphone, angling it at Alyssa's face, searching for the perfect shot.

Just then, a figure caught her eye. Turning around, she gestured, "Dracon's got a knack for photography. Why don't we let him shoot this video!"

Dracon froze. "Me?"

He was clueless about what had gone down the moment he stepped in.

His expression darkened upon seeing Alyssa on the ground.

Alyssa's gaze, fiery and vengeful, turned towards him. Dracon instinctively stepped back, blurting out, "Dad..."

Yorick slapped him across the face. "Dad? Just shoot the damned video. Don't make me remind you of your last mess-up. If you dare side with outsiders against your own family again, I'll break your legs." Arthur chimed in coldly, "You refusing to shoot? Or have you been secretly dealing with Alyssa behind our backs?"This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Dracon's eyes widened in denial. "No, I haven't!"

Arthur snorted. "Then get that video on the internet, and don't let me catch you playing both sides."

Trembling, Dracon complied.

Vivienne patted his shoulder after the deed. "Make sure this hits the web. I'm eager to see the reaction."

Dracon, phone in hand, shakily recorded as Alyssa, with blood trickling from the corners of her mouth and fists clenched, made her forced apology.

The moment the video went live, the internet exploded with reactions.

"Finally, an apology. Thought she'd hide away forever."

"Cheapest apology ever. She doesn't value human life. Deserves jail, not forgiveness."

"Don't forgive her, Sasha. She's not worth it."

"Making her apologize isn't enough. Let's make this viral, expose her."

"Why so clenched if you're sorry? Hate fakers."

"And that last look? Pure venom."

"Is it just me, or are Sasha and the War God super sweet together? Love their height difference!"

Seeing the online buzz, Sasha turned to Arthur, a mock hurt in her voice, "Am I really that much shorter than you?"

Arthur, lifting her into his arms, reassured, "Never. You always stand tall in my heart, just like now."

Blushing, Sasha playfully slapped his shoulder. "Dad's still here..."

Yorick waved them off. "Carry on, I saw nothing."

Vivienne added, "Neither did I."

Dracon gulped. "So, I can go now?"

He feared the wrath of Alyssa, reduced to seeking revenge from the floor.

With a dismissive gesture, Yorick ordered Alyssa to be dragged away. "Sight for sore eyes."

After breakfast, the Linklater household dwindled to just Arthur and his girls.

Sasha, finishing her milk, casually probed, "Did we get them?"

Vivienne smiled subtly. "Just waiting for the fish to bite."

Arthur, feeling left out, whined, "My wife and daughter, always plotting without me."

Vivienne couldn't be bothered to respond.

With the bait set, she doubted the fox could resist the trap.

That night, Dracon received a call, the voice on the other end raspy, "Got it yet?"

"Not yet. I've searched all over the Linklater estate. I'm starting to think it's not here."

"Every corner?"

Dracon hesitated. "Except the old man's study."

Guarded year-round, it was off-limits to him, though Arthur had access.

The woman commanded, "Find a way in within three days, or you know the consequences."

The next morning, Vivienne woke to

a message from Percival about a lunch meeting at the Linklater estate with his parents and Richard to discuss her and Percival's impending marriage.

At breakfast, Yorick cleared his throat and announced, "Sasha and Arthur, no gallivanting around town today. We're expecting some very important guests." Sasha nodded in acknowledgment, "Got it, Dad."

Arthur looked puzzled, "Dad, who are these 'important guests' you've never mentioned before?"

Yorick shot him an exasperated look, "Who do you think? The Smiths, our in-laws to be, of course."

Arthur's jaw dropped, his voice soaring with surprise, "What? Why are they coming over?"

Yorick, on the verge of grabbing a cane to discipline his son, retorted, "Why? To discuss your sister Vivienne's wedding arrangements with you, the soon-to-be father of the bride. Haven't you been paying attention at all to our previous conversations? If you mess this up for Vivienne, you'll have me to answer to."

Yorick's anger was palpable.

Meanwhile, Vivienne sipped her milk coolly, calculating when Mr. Wolf might arrive. She had only been apart from him for two days, but she was already beginning to miss him. en.swhovels.net