The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 161

Percival's eyes fluttered open to the soft light of dawn filtering in from the balcony.

Propping himself up on his elbows, he saw Vivienne seated in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass door, engrossed in the minicomputer in her hands.

The morning sun draped her in a gentle halo, making her seem ethereal.

She had been staring at the name 'Wolf' on the screen for a long while before her gaze shifted towards Percival, lying on the bed with an inscrutable expression in her eyes.

Matthew had once told her that the code-name of the new team leader who had taken over her mother's team after her mother's demise was Wolf.

Could it be that Percival was Wolf?

He was her mother's colleague?

"What's wrong, Vivienne?" Percival asked as his handsome face bathed in the warm morning light and a soft smile played on his lips.

Vivienne paused for a moment before turning the tiny computer screen towards him. "Who are you, really?"

The sight of the black interface and the striking red 'Wolf' on the screen didn't surprise Percival.

He had known from the start that Vivienne wasn't living in his home to take care of his injuries or to court him. She was here to investigate him.

So, he had been waiting for her to unravel the truth herself.

His room was never locked at night, and he had deliberately changed his phone passcode to her birthday. He was aware of her snooping around but pretended not to notice.

He was sure of her identity now. He had no secrets from her.

"Frost."

Vivienne stiffened. The playful smile faded from her face, replaced by a deadly seriousness. "Who are you?"

'Frost' was her nickname.

Only her mother used to call her that.

No one knew about this nickname, not even Dorian.

It was the name she had taken after leaving the Hawthorn family when her mother and she were being pursued.

She had watched helplessly as her mother fought off their attackers, and she had wanted nothing more than to tear them apart.

But her mother told her that violence wasn't always the solution and that it was crucial to remain calm to come up with a better plan. They were up against a formidable opponent, and they needed to keep their heads cool.

Vivienne was prone to acting impulsively, so to remind herself to stay calm, she had asked her mother to call her 'Frost.'.

Even to this day, her calm and composed demeanor was a result of constantly reminding herself of that nickname.

But how did Percival know about it?

For a moment, the usually composed Vivienne felt a surge of murderous intent.

Percival felt the chill radiating off her. He pursed his lips and, after a long while, managed to croak out, "Don't you remember me?"

Vivienne frowned as her brows knitted together in thought.

She scrutinized Percival from head to toe and back again.

She was absolutely certain that she had never met him before their recent encounter.

"I want an explanation." She demanded with her voice firm.

Percival gently patted her head, his voice soft and soothing. "Frost, I'll buy you a strawberry cake every year."

Vivienne's eyes lit up. Her earlier cold demeanor vanished instantly as her voice went higher than usual. "Mr. Wolf? Is that you?"

Percival choked on his own saliva, nearly drowning himself.

Mr. Wolf?

That was a name from a long time ago.

Up until now, only she had ever called him that.

And the reason why?

Well, when he first met her, she was only two, and he was already twelve.

He was a full decade older than her.

And after numerous failed attempts by her mother to get her to call him 'brother,' she brazenly declared that someone ten years older shouldn’t be referred to as 'brother.'

So, Mr. Wolf, it was. Since she always said that he was a wolf, why not call him Mr. Wolf?

And that was how he had never mentioned his real name to her.