The Million-Dollar Heart Novel Episode
Chapter 272

No kidding!

Ashley looked up to see Percival, dressed in a black suit, standing beside a table laden with pastries. He was seemingly looking for something.

His tall stature, combined with his broad shoulders and narrow waist, was accentuated by the casual way he had his hand in his pocket. The half of his handsome face that was visible to her was uncharacteristically soft and had a hint of a smile. She wondered what he might be thinking.

Despite his unusually gentle demeanor right now, Ashley didn't dare approach him.

She remembered how Percival had humiliated Calista earlier. She also saw how Calista, upon entering the banquet hall, would occasionally glance Percival's way without daring to strike up a conversation. This man was cold to all women except Vivienne. She was certain that the reason he had a soft smile on his face right now was because he was thinking about Vivienne.

She was right. Percival was indeed thinking about Vivienne.

He was surveying the pastries on the table and found a piece of strawberry cake in the middle. Just as he was about to reach for it, another slender hand reached out and grabbed the plate. With one hand on each side of the plate, they both paused.

Percival looked up to find Aaron Miller, the handsome son of the Miller family's patriarch, Mark. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't pay much attention to such a newcomer to the Rivenwood social circle. However, he had heard his cousin, Kenneth, talk about Aaron many times, and that had led him to remember the young man.

There was no way he could forget. Kenneth and Aaron were both renowned E-sports players. They were both known as prodigal sons of the gaming world. After Aaron turned pro at the age of fifteen, his team, under the guidance of a mysterious coach, won seven championships in a row, with Aaron himself being named the Most Valuable Player in each tournament.

In contrast, Kenneth, who also turned pro the same year, spent a year warming the bench before he became a starting player. Although his team eventually won two championships and he was named MVP twice, the comparisons between him and Aaron never ceased, especially since Aaron's team had a better record despite a string of defeats this season.

People often said that Aaron was too loyal. He refused to transfer teams and was being held back by older players whose gaming skills were on the decline. If he were to join a better team, he could surely win another championship.

This was why Kenneth held a grudge against Aaron and would occasionally complain to Percival about him.

"It's for my fiancée. She likes it." Percival calmly told Aaron, not letting go of the plate.

He was getting slightly impatient with waiting in the banquet hall. He realized he hadn't seen his precious Vivienne for over eighteen hours. Even though they had video chatted at noon, it wasn't the same as seeing her in person.

So, he was trying to distract himself, and remembering that his darling liked strawberry cake, he decided to find one for her.

Aaron, hearing this, graciously let go of the plate and put his hands in his pockets.

Percival nodded slightly and left with the last piece of strawberry cake.

As he passed Ashley and her group, he heard them discussing Aaron.

"That's the illegitimate son the Millers just acknowledged, right? He's quite good-looking, but why doesn't he know how to dress properly? He's wearing a T-shirt and jeans to a formal event. Eddy Miller should really teach him some manners."

That sounded familiar.

Percival turned to look, and sure enough, Aaron was wearing a casual T-shirt and jeans. His hands were in his pockets, and he was trailing lazily behind Mark.

The pose and the attitude were all too familiar.

"I remember you not liking sweets when you were a kid. When did you start liking strawberry cake?" Mark asked the boy trailing behind him.

"It's a friend I haven't seen in a while who likes it." Aaron replied with a smile. "If she likes it, then I like it too."

Mark frowned slightly, not knowing what to do with his illegitimate son. He had brought Aaron to this event to introduce him to the circle of prominent families, but the boy didn't leave him any dignity. Upon seeing Percival arrive with the strawberry cake, Isolde chuckled. "I bet this cake is for Vivienne."

Fiona swept her gaze over Isolde as a smirk played on her lips.

After tonight's banquet, they, the third branch of the Ellington family, will probably change its tune. They might not want Vivienne as their daughter-in-law anymore, which would be a good thing for her. Having someone who could cure the effects of the boar poison was a nuisance.

"How long are we supposed to wait for Vivienne to appear?" Paul sneered. He was growing more impatient by the second. "Even my grandfather isn't this pompous on his birthday."

Percival's gaze hardened, and he cast a chilling glance at Paul. "Seems like I shouldn't have helped you get your jaw back in place so quickly after the last time we met."

Paul cringed, and his mouth quickly snapped shut, but his eyes glittered with malicious intent.

"Scott, I think most of the guests have arrived, don't you think?" Mila had been hanging around Scott since they entered the banquet hall, playing the part of the hostess and helping him greet guests. Scott tried repeatedly to create distance between them, but she kept clinging on. Not wanting to make a scene, he let her be, but his brow furrowed deeply every time she spoke up. Nevertheless, he glanced at Baron and Judith.

Baron nodded. "Yes, the guests have mostly arrived."

Scott signaled to the staff, and the music in the banquet hall immediately softened. Someone went to the lounge to notify Vivienne that it was time for her grand entrance.

The banquet hall had a two-story design. Scott, holding a microphone, stood on the staircase leading to the upstairs lounge. He cleared his throat gently, drawing the attention of all the guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, tonight I'm hosting a reunion banquet for my daughter, Vivienne. Vivienne was lost for many years but has now finally been found and returned to our family. Tonight, I will formally introduce her to you all."

Many of the guests remembered that the daughter Scott had found was named Arabella. Why had there been a sudden change? Had she changed her name?

But nobody would be impolite enough to ask aloud. They simply craned their necks towards the staircase leading to the lounge, waiting for the much-anticipated debut of the Brooks family's heiress. They were all eager to lay eyes on her, offer a few compliments, build a rapport, and thus fulfill their purpose for attending the reunion banquet.

The banquet hall fell silent, save for the soft music floating in the air.

All eyes were glued to the staircase as they waited in silence.

But the seconds and then minutes ticked away. Nearly ten minutes of silence later, there was still no sign of Vivienne. An eerie silence enveloped the entire banquet hall.

Many started to wonder what was going on. Why wasn't she coming out?

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