The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 322

Vivienne shot Dorian a frosty glance without uttering a word.

However, Richard was not one to keep his thoughts to himself. “Dorian, if you were so concerned, you

should’ve set Paul straight from the get–go. You didn’t utter a single word before What’s holding you

back?”

Dorian was left speechless by that blunt comment. With the situation taking a sour turn, Cordelia

quickly intervened. “We’re outsiders after all. It’s not our place to meddle in the Ellingtons‘ family affairs.

We thought that with Percival and Richard on her side, Vivienne surely wouldn’t be bullied*

“Really?” Richard responded in a suggestive tone. I’m tired. I’m off to get some rest. You all can stay a

bit longer

Quick to reject the invitation. Donian said, “No need Thank you for your hospitality, Richard We don’t

want to overstay our welcome”

Having said that, he naturally wouldn’t insist on staying

Percival slung his arm around Vivienne’s shoulder. “‘Tll walk you out ”

Vivienne glanced at him and smiled “Sure”

Percival was silent throughout the incident, but Vivienne could sense his anger She knew he was

holding back out of respect for Richard That was the only reason he was refraining from taking action

against Paul

But in the end, he couldn’t resist

That kick certainly did a number on Paul

Percival and Vivienne led the way, when Donan and Cordelia awkwardly followed behind them, their

expressions subtly changing

As the dinner progressed, they exposed their true colors.

Vivienne was deliberately testing them, and everyone else was there to watch the drama unfold

“What do we do now? Cordelia lowered her voice as she shot Dorian a meaningful glance

Donan didn’t utter a word His gaze was fixed on Vivienne, who was just a few feet away.

If he didn’t act soon, he feared.

They had reached the courtyard of the Ellington Estate Percival was about to fetch the car to drive

Vivienne and the others home when a figure suddenly emerged from the

bushes and lunged at Vivienne

Percival saw a flash of silver in the stranger’s hands as he strode forward. His brow instantly furrowed

“Vivienne Look out”

The voice wasn’t Percival’s but Dorian’s, who was trailing behind them As Percival shielded Vivienne,

Dorian lunged forward, tackling the intruder.

The stranger swung his knife and slashed Dorian’s arm

Blood spurted out, soaking his shirt

“Oh my God“”

The sight sent the nearby maid into a panic Cordelia’s legs turned to jelly, making her unable to move

forward. “Donan!”

After Percival gave the signal, the Ellington bodyguards hidden in the shadows emerged and swiftly

subdued the stranger

Within two minutes, the situation was under control

Percival glanced at Vivienne who looked calm and composed. He then approached the stranger, his

voice steady as he asked, “Who sent you?”

The stranger clamped his mouth shut, refusing to speak

Percival chuckled coldly “So you don’t want to talk? I have a hundred ways to make you squeal.”

With a slight flick of his finger the guards got the message. They bound the man, ready to take him

away

“I want answers “Percival’s gaze was like an invisible blade that sliced the mans skin “Go easy on him”

Death was too easy. He would make that man wish he was never born

Sometimes the greatest punishment was unbearable suffering

Whoever dared to harm Vivienne should be prepared for the consequences He wouldn’t let anyone off

who had malicious intentions towards Vivienne.

“Right away, sir”

The guards respectfully acknowledged Percival orders, then look the stranger away

“Donan Donan Cordelia was frantically crouching beside Donan She was on the verge of tears. “You’re

bleeding so much”

Despite his paleness from blood loss, Dorian reassured her “Tm okay A little injury won’t kill me As long

as Visienne is salu, everything sa a

He turned to Vivienne with a bit of guill etched on his faqe. Tm sorry Vivienne i couldn’t stand up for

you when the Ellingtona werę prokling on you i guess. (79) juni match for the Ellingtons

Vivienne listened to his confession with an impassive face. She only kelt annoyed

Dorian though lacking ambition, was a decent man. Whenever the Hawthorn or Ellington fartuly tried to

bully her, he would stand up for her without hesitation.

Even when it meant leaving the Hawthorn family and lusing his job. Donan never complained How

could such a man ulter such self-deprecating mor

She looked at Dorians wound which, although bipody, waunt life threatening

She ripped a piece of cloth from her dress and bandaged his wound to stop the bleeding.

“You’re hurt Save your strength”

“Vivianne “Doran hadn’t expected such a cold response from Vivienne He had naked his ife to protect

hat, yet she wasn’t moved

“Vivienne, your father really cares about you” Cordelia added as her eyes welled up with tears. We

came to Riverwood because of you. He wanted to start a perfe business to secure your future in case

the Ellingtons ever mistreated you”

She talked like the and Donian were saints. it was as if everything they did was for Vivien sake, and

Vivienne vesi ungrateful for

Percival cut them off with an icy stare “Cordelia, do you think I can’t protect Vivienne?”

Cordelia blinked That’s not what we meant…”

She awkwardly brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear “We are also Vivienne’s family. We’re just

worried about her

Dorian deliberately coughed a few times, pretending to be frail “Percival. I’m all heart but no strength.

From now on, Vivienne is in your hands. Please take good care of her cough cough

Vivienne watched them perform their little drama in front of her as the comer of her mouth twitched

almost imperceptibly

It was just a minor cut it barely grazed the skin, it wasn’t even touching bone of sinew

Yet Donan was acting as if he had contracted a terminal illness. He made it seem like he was barely

able to speak

Percival saw through his act immediately Take Mr Hawthorn to the hospital. He instructed one of the

servants

With that, he opened the passenger door intending to personally escort her home

“Vivienne

Cordelia’s tone now sounded a bit resentful “Your fathers been injured Aren’t you coming with us to the

hospital?”

“I have other things to do Vivienne replied indifferently before turning to leave with Percival

The car rolled out the gates of the Ellington Estate

Vivienne rested her chin on her hand as she looked out the window with a pensive gaze. “It seems they

can’t wait any longer

“Hmm” Percival’s deep eyes narrowed. Tve received word that the human experiments conducted by

GTO have reached a critical stage. They urgently need the potion

Vienne scoffed “No wonder

“First, we need to find Mr Hawthorn and Cordelia, I’ve got people on it, so we should hear something

soon

“Hmm” Vivienne nodded

She should be getting news on her end as well