The Million-Dollar Heart Novel Episode
Chapter 286

Ryan shuddered. He almost collapsed, but he still managed to respond, "Whatever Vivienne wishes."

"Good." Vivienne tapped her slender finger on her chin. "Then I'd like Mr. Ellington to resign from his executive position and work as a security guard at the Ellington Group." "What did you say?!" Ryan's eyes widened in disbelief. He was no longer able to form coherent sentences.

Cathy screamed, "Dad, Ryan is an executive of the Ellington Group! Making him a security guard is like slapping your own face!"

Even if he were just a nominal executive with no real power, he was still a well-known figure at the Ellington Group.

"Dad, how could I work as a security guard?" Ryan couldn't accept this reality.

"Do as Vivienne says." Richard, even after witnessing his son's breakdown, showed no sympathy. "You really need to learn a lesson."

Ryan had caused Richard enough trouble with his entitlement as the eldest son of the Ellington family. Richard had turned a blind eye to it all, but not anymore.

With Thomas still recuperating, Percival ordered another assistant to handle the matter.

In less than half an hour, Ryan had gone from being the powerful first son of the Ellington family to a mere security guard at the Ellington Group. Supported by his son, he left the room.

Richard patted Vivienne's hand, expressing his regret. "I am sorry for the troubles you've faced. Whoever needs to be dealt with, I will do it. You can stay with the Brooks family or the Ellington family, whichever you prefer. I'll support your decision."

"Thank you, Grandfather."

With Richard's clear stance, Vivienne understood that both Richard and Cecilia treated her with the utmost care and affection.

"Grandfather, Vivienne and I have other matters to attend to." Percival interjected. "We will visit you another day."

Richard looked at Vivienne with fondness so evident that he seemed ready to send Percival away so he could keep her here. But he restrained himself. "Alright, but you better take good care of Vivienne. If anything happens to Vivienne, you'll be the first one I'll hold responsible!"

Percival fell silent.

He wondered who was the true grandchild in Richard's heart. It seemed to be leaning heavily towards Vivienne.

As they left the hospital and got in the car, the smile on Vivienne's face faded.

"How is Thomas?"

Thomas was no ordinary assistant. He had worked closely with Percival for years.

"Don't worry." Percival understood her concern. "He's out of critical condition and is recuperating."

Eric, one of Vivienne's disciples, although not as skilled as her, was more than capable of saving Thomas. "That's good."

Vivienne nodded as a menacing glint crossed her eyes. "I won't let any of the people who did this escape."

An hour later, the car stopped in front of a villa in the suburbs.

Vivienne walked in as if she were entering her own home, heading straight to the basement.

Percival appeared to understand what she was going to do and didn't question her. He simply followed her to the basement.

Matthew was waiting for them in the well-lit basement.

In a corner, a man was hanging by iron chains, looking weak and on the verge of death.

"Has he confessed?"

Matthew shook his head. "He's tough. Despite the torture, he hasn't said a word."

Upon hearing the voices, the man strained to lift his head. Upon seeing Vivienne and Percival, a grin spread across his face. "Mr. Ellington, Vivienne, nice to see you."

The man had remained silent under Matthew's harsh interrogation but spoke up upon seeing Vivienne and Percival. This was unexpected.

"Do you know us?" Vivienne and Percival raised their eyebrows simultaneously.

"The heiress of the Brooks family and the seventh grandchild of the Ellington family." The man coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "Who wouldn't recognize you?" After Richard was attacked, Vivienne and Percival immediately launched an investigation.

They both believed that the person who attempted to kill Richard had another target in mind.

If it weren't for Richard coincidentally taking Percival's car that day, Percival would likely be the one in the hospital now.

"Who ordered you to do this?" Vivienne asked, not giving the man a chance to rest. "Who is your target?"

"Vivienne, you're a smart woman." The man tilted his head as he portrayed a twisted smile. "You can guess what we want to do, can't you?"

Vivienne had no patience for his stupid games. If it weren't for Percival's involvement, she wouldn't bother asking.

"I'm not interested in playing games with you." She picked up a whip from the table and stared at him with cold, merciless eyes. "Don't test my patience."

As she spoke, she lashed out with the whip, hitting the man in his most vulnerable spot.

The whip was barbed and coated with poison, causing unbearable pain and severe itching.

"Ahh!"

The man screamed in agony.

If it were just a whip, he could endure the pain. But a poisoned whip was excruciating.

"Vivienne." Matthew rose to take the whip from Vivienne. "Let me handle this. Don't hurt your hands."

Having spent so much time with Vivienne, he knew her well. She was a woman who abhorred complications.

She always used the simplest approach to interrogate her enemies.

For Vivienne to personally wield a whip today, she must have really been pushed to the brink.

Matthew glanced at Percival and let out a sigh.

Vivienne had fallen head over heels for this man.

He wondered what the eight disciples would think. As for Leopold, he was already in Percival's pocket.

Matthew picked up the whip. Each lash was more ruthless than the last.

The man's skin had begun to peel back. It wasn't until raw flesh was seen that he finally stopped.

"Ready to talk now?" Vivienne, with her arms crossed, sat calmly on the side. "I don't mind waiting you out."

The man, in his disheveled state, lifted his head. His vision was starting to blur.

"Mr. Ellington." His voice was weak as he muttered, "Our target is you..."

As expected, their target wasn't Richard but the owner of the car, Percival.

Vivienne and Percival's eyes narrowed. They began pressing him further. "Who ordered you to do this?"

A cold smirk flashed across the man's lips as he suddenly bit down on something.

"He's poisoned!"

Vivienne instantly sensed the danger and grabbed his neck, but it was already too late.

The man had bitten into a capsule hidden in his mouth, swallowing the poison whole.

"You'll never know... who ordered... to kill..."

He laughed wildly as his head slumped to the side and his breath slowly came to a stop.

Vivienne's slender fingers gripped his throat tightly as her body radiated a chilling aura. "You want to die? It won't be that easy!"

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