The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 347

Just as Vivienne had anticipated, Scott stepped out of the police station really quick

In no time, the police issued a statement clearing Scott of any criminal involvement in Karen’s deaths

Mila, too, was under scrutiny, yet no suspicious behavior was found.

Despite the police’s announcement, the netizen group wasn’t that easily swayed

Everyone posted that while Scott and Mila might not be murderers, their affair was undeniable Scott’s

betrayal of Karen was just as damning The scandal continued to sizzle online

Scott and Mila’s reputations plummeted

Meanwhile, Richard only found out about Calista being Scott’s daughter the next day over lunch

Being a man of certain age he rarely surfed the internet Besides, he had spent the previous day

outdoors with an old friend. The folks of the Ellington family, who wouldn’t want to bother Richard with

such matters, had chosen to keep it a secret

By the time Richard returned home, the news had exploded online. There was no way he could ignore

it now

Furious. Richard stormed off to the nursing home to give Baron a piece of his mind.

Baron was so stanied by Richard’s outburst that he nearly passed off

Fuming, Baron shot back at Scott at the Brooks Mansion, announcing that he would not attend

Calista’s reunion banquet. After venting his anger, he returned to the nursing home

Upon his return, his fury had not subsided. To make matters worse, he found his room had been

stripped bare!

Not even a bed was left in the room

Baron roared in anger, Richard You old fool, may lightning strike you down!”

Two days later.

The online slander against Scott and Mila had quietened down

Meanwhile. Scott had been making frequent trips to the hospital to visit Calista

Excluding Kala, Ronald, and Carl, the Brooks family’s enthusiasm for Vivienne had dwindled all of a

sudden. They would greet her out of courtesy but the conversations

remained short and superficial

Vivienne, however, was totally unfazed by their attitude

She had found a tutor for Thaddeus, who was Charlotte Redwood!

Originally, she had planned to ask Mr. James to help find a tutor for Thaddeus. But with Mr. James

preoccupied with solving the mystery of Atticus lineage and fetching Ondine from the mountain region,

Vivienne had to make other arrangements.

Ondine William’s childhood sweetheart and Mr. James’s adopted daughter, had chosen to teach in the

mountain region after graduation. She had been there for twenty

years

The place she taught was thousands of miles away from Rivenwood Concerned for her safety, Mr

James had fetched her personally

On top of that Atticus had been overseas for an academic competition it was only recently that he

started making his way back

With Ondine and Atticus, mother and son, preparing to reunite with William, Mr James was also busy

preparing Vivienne decided to find a friendly, patient tutor to Thaddeus who had been traumatized for

several times by his experiences in Havenwood and Riverwood. His physic trauma was so intense that

he had backed away with

contact

Charlotte volunteered to become the tutor when she heard about this

Without hesitation Vivienne agreed

As this years college entrance test champion Charlotte was not only academically gifted but also

possessed a good character Vivienne felt at ease teaching Thaddeus

Just as Vivienne had settled Thaddeus Percival called

“Vivienne. I we arrived Percival’s voice was gentle and filled with an irresistible charm

Humming in acknowledgment. Vivienne rose from her seat and headed for the door

Percivals car was parked in front of the Brouks Mansion it

As she was about to fasten her seat belt Percival beat her to it

the same inconspicuous seden

As he leaned over a faint scent of tobacco emanated from him not unpleasant at all

Vivienne glanced at tum Has Fiona left?

Fiona had invited her to an art exhibition prenously Whele Vivienne had re

21. she accepted the invita

The exhibition was originally scheduled for a few days back but was postponed to today due to

unduressen uincum ipsa

“Yes” Percival started the car his voice heutral She left with Jeffrey

Vivienne paused, Jeffrey is going too?

“The exhibition is organized by Jeffrey Percival replied unperturbed

“He’s quite the artist” Vivienne quipped smiling

Percival chuckled, “Henry’s people have been causing some trouble recently

Vivienne raised an eyebrow at that. So Mr Wolf do you want me to help you fight off these

troublemakers?

Percival cleared his throat, “Ahem! Vivienne, someone from the Elington farmly a vti huẳng in the

shadows. i havent fount i

Vivienne’s lips curled up in understanding “Got it‘

did not say much after that

Soon, they arrived at the art museum.

Fiona and Jeffrey were already waiting at the entrance

Seeing them approach, Fiona greeted them with a warm smile, ‘Percival, Vivienne, here you are

Jeffrey merely glanced at Percival and Vivienne with an eyeful of impatience. He didn’t ever want to

greet them

“Yes. Let’s go in Percival responded He was apathetic and almost expressionless while leading

Vivienne into the exhibition hall

Looking at their retreating figures. Fiona’s eyes narrowed momentarily before she quickly regained her

composure and followed them inside. Jeffrey, of course, followed

BUIL

Inside the exhibition hall

The hall was exquisitely decorated The paintings hung on the walls were clearly high in value

Fiona spotted a few familiar faces and went to greet them.

As the owner of the gallery, Jeffrey had to attend to some matters and stepped away momentarily

That left Percival and Vivienne alone

As they strolled deeper into the gallery, Vivienne glanced at the various artworks, then turned to

Percival, asking. “Did he create all of these?”

Had she been out of touch for so long? She recognized several paintings on the wall from somewhere.

But the artists names didn’t seem to read Jeffrey!

“Some are by artists he’s signed, a few are his own creations, Percival replied as he motioned towards

a display case nearby, “let’s just say those ones.

Following his direction, Vivienne looked over and took in the eclectic collection. She was speechless as

her brows juddered a little. “Definitely his style!

Percival’s lips curled up slightly. Indeed”

Vivienne continued on, not particularly interested in these less–than–masterful pieces.

Whispers suddenly filled the gallery. This painting is a real gem, probably the best one here.”

“Why hasn’t the artist’s name been mentioned? I’d like to request another piece from them.”

“Can you really request a specific artist? I want to do the same!”

Vivienne looked in the direction of the voices

A crowd was gathered around a particular artwork, lavishing it with praise.

Intrigued Vivienne wondered what sort of painting had captured their attention.

While many pieces in the gallery could dupe the untrained eye, those same folks wouldn’t be arguing

over who’d get to commission the artist.

With that thought, she stepped towards the commotion.

Percival followed Vivienne’s pace

When Vivienne reached the painting, she halted; her gaze intensified as a hint of hostility emanated

from her.

Percival noticed her reaction and raised his eyes. His pupils shrunk.

Indeed, the painting was remarkable

It depicted a figure’s silhouette from the back. Despite its simplicity, it conveyed a sense of profound

solitude

Both color scheme and composition were superior to most works in the gallery.

However, the person in the painting was Karen!