The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The lock clicked open, revealing its contents in the dim glow of the room. It was a stack of neatly

enveloped documents and a book.

Vivienne rifled through the papers until her eyes fell upon a particular envelope marked boldly:

[Paternity Test Results]!

[Test Subjects: Scott Brooks, Vivienne Hawthorn]

[Result: Positive Paternal Match]

Percival’s heart skipped a beat as he read the results.

“A positive match?” He murmured, turning to Vivienne with a puzzled frown.

“What’s going on? Didn’t Vivienne say she was not Scott’s daughter?” He thought.

He had investigated Vivienne’s background only once initially, and it had come up empty. Thus,

everything he knew about her was only everything she wanted him to know. Back then, she told him

she was not Scott’s daughter, and he had taken her at her word.

However, the paternity test showed that this was clearly not the case.

Vivienne sifted through the rest of the documents. There were ten in total, each one a paternity test

from a different testing center, all with the same result. With a sly smile, she tucked the papers back

into the envelope.

Turning to Percival, she explained, “I’m not his daughter. My mother had my genes altered. No matter

which agency conducts the test, it’ll always show a match.”



Vivienne did not say more, but Percival understood her. There had to be a reason for Vivienne’s mother

to do this.

Without further ado, Vivienne directed Percival’s attention to the book. It was not ancient, but it was

worn, the kind that had been used often.

The book was actually a journal. Its pages were filled with handwriting added over time. However, the

script within was foreign to Vivienne and Percival, not belonging to any known language or script they

had ever encountered.

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Glancing at the clock and noting the half-hour they had spent, Vivienne suggested, “Let’s take photos

and study this later.”

Percival nodded, quickly capturing the mysterious text with his smartphone. They then carefully placed

the box back and vanished from the room.

Downstairs, the Brooks Mansion was buzzing with guests. After emerging from Scott’s room, Vivienne

and Percival parted ways. Percival exited the mansion only to re-enter from the front, blending with the

arriving guests.

Vivienne made her way to the dining area, where Kala spotted her first and waved her over. “Vivienne,

come join us!”

At Kala’s table sat Ronald, Carl, Ashley, and Darren. All the people Vivienne did not mind being around.

Thus, she paused for a moment, then headed toward them.

Kala pulled Vivienne to sit beside her and whispered, “After we finish eating, we plan to hit the shops

downtown. Come with us.”



Kala had only attended the event out of obligation to her family, to spare her parents any

embarrassment. Now, she sought to ensure Vivienne would not feel uncomfortable staying at the party

any longer than necessary. Thus, she made plans with Carl and the others to go shopping after dinner.

Vivienne appreciated Kala’s kindness and offered with a smile. “Maybe… I’ll treat you all to a meal

later!”

“Huh?” Confused, Kala glanced at the spread before her. There were over a dozen appetizers, with

more courses to come. Surely, they would be full by then, right?

But Vivienne just grinned, keeping her plans to herself.

Meanwhile, Calista stood beside Judith in a lavish designer dress, her poise a mask for her growing

impatience. She had insisted on greeting the guests, especially to catch Percival’s eye the moment he

arrived. Yet, he was nowhere to be seen, and the flattery of insincere guests was wearing her thin.

Just as she was about to excuse herself, she caught sight of Percival stepping out of a car with

Richard.

Percival, in his black suit, exuded an air of sophistication and aloofness that pulled at Calista’s

heartstrings.

She quickly adjusted her expression and approached Percival with a dignified smile. “Mr. Ellington,

you…”

But before she could finish, Percival strode past her without a glance, his indifference cutting her

deeper than any word could.

Frozen in place, Calista watched as Richard gave her a dismissive look and muttered, “Hideous!”



Richard had never planned to attend the gathering, but his pride would not allow him to miss it after the

Brooks family had caused his granddaughter-in-law such grief. If Vivienne was not happy, neither was

he. And when he was unhappy, he was going to stir the pot. He was here to make a scene.

Calista’s face turned a shade of stormy blue. One man ignored her, and the other openly insulted her.

She was the Brooks family’s golden girl, yet she received no respect.

As the crowd’s curious eyes fell upon her, Calista clenched her fists and forced a smile, her thoughts

seething with indignation. They may not see her worth now, but she was determined to make Percival

need her one day.

Upon entering the party, Richard immediately sought out Vivienne. Spotting her, he made his way over

and declared, “Vivienne, come sit with your grandpa!”

Percival glanced over at Vivienne, who was mingling with some guests a short distance away. Instead

of joining her, he made his way to the Sterling family’s table and took a seat.

The moment Leopold spotted him, he nearly jumped out of his skin and instinctively shuffled behind his

dad for cover.

With a lift of his eyebrows and a crooked smile, Percival spoke in a soft, teasing tone, “Leopold, have a

few days apart made me a stranger? Come on, sit by me.”

Leopold’s skin crawled, and he chuckled awkwardly. “Ahem! I’m, uh, quite comfortable here, thanks…

You enjoy your meal, okay? All good!”

Percival’s gaze lingered on Leopold, the smile playing at his lips growing wider.

Leopold felt like prey under the gaze of a hungry wolf, his heart pounding rapidly in his chest!

As the last of the guests arrived, Calista’s family reunion feast officially began.

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

Baron was nowhere to be seen, so Scott took the stage to speak.

“Today, we celebrate my daughter Calista’s family reunion feast…”

He had barely started when a commotion at the gate drew everyone’s attention.

A group of heavily armed individuals barged in, surrounding the Brooks family in no time. The guests

were visibly shaken.

All this for a family reunion feast? Since when did it require such a show of force?

Scott’s eyes narrowed, and just as he was about to speak up, about a dozen people made a beeline for

Calista.

“Calista Pendleton?” The leader’s voice boomed with authority, his presence alone commanding and

intimidating.

Startled, Calista stammered, “I…I am Calista, what’s the problem?”

She had never seen such a spectacle and was instantly petrified.

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“You are under suspicion of using infants for virus research, attempting to release a virus in Veridia,

and endangering national security. By the orders of our superiors, you are hereby under arrest!”

The leader showed the warrant for Calista’s arrest.

As the command was given, the armed group took control of Calista.



She was led outside before she could even process what was happening. When she finally snapped

back to reality, panic took over, “Virus research? There must be some mistake! It’s not me. I did not do

anything!”

Today was supposed to be about her family reunion, and it hadn’t even properly started. How could it

end like this?

No!

This was not the outcome she had envisioned!

