The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 162

Karen.

Percival's icy gaze tightened at the sound of the name, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

With a comforting look in his eyes, Percival gazed at Vivienne.

"Thank goodness."

"Thank goodness."

Vivienne mirrored his smile, grateful that they were allies instead of enemies.

The question that had been lingering in her mind was finally answered, and Vivienne felt relieved that she didn't have to cross swords with Percival.

The summer morning sun was perfect; a few birds landed on the balcony and chirped merrily.

"Percival, we can call off our engagement now." Vivienne looked at Percival, her face a picture of calm.

Percival's gentle expression instantly froze. The joy he was just feeling was shattered. "Why?"

Did she want to break off their engagement?

He wouldn't allow it.

"I got engaged to you to investigate my mother's necklace." Vivienne explained, her voice devoid of emotion. "I never intended to get married."

"I disagree." Percival grabbed her hand, a hint of anger in his voice.

Vivienne frowned slightly, waiting for him to continue.

"Do you know why your mother wanted to entrust this necklace to me before she died?" Percival went on. "Because it's a token of our engagement. It's proof that your mother entrusted you to me, so I won't agree to calling off our engagement."

"So you're refusing because of my mother's request?" Vivienne's frown deepened.

"No, it's because I like you, and I want to protect you for the rest of my life." Percival took out the necklace and wore it around his neck in front of Vivienne, gently stroking the smooth surface of the pendant. "This is proof that you belong to me."

Vivienne was taken aback, and Percival's face suddenly approached hers. He leaned down for a kiss that was both domineering and tender.

Vivienne was stunned. The kiss had come unexpectedly.

But it seemed like she rather liked the feeling of kissing him.

She wrapped her arms around Percival's neck and kissed him back.

"Then... no takebacks."

Upon receiving her response, Percival deepened the kiss.

The morning sun streamed in, casting their entwined shadows on the light gray tiles of the bedroom. They were inseparable and reluctant to part.

...

The next day, at Cloudcrest High School.

Since the last physical education class for Class Eighteen was scheduled for that afternoon, Percival had accompanied Vivienne to school.

With less than half a month left before the college entrance test, the remaining study plans had been well arranged and wouldn't change much. Apart from supervising studies, Vivienne had no other business in school.

While Percival was in physical education class, she had planned to go to the street outside the school to buy a strawberry cake. However, as she passed by the gymnasium, she heard a scream.

With her keen hearing, she immediately recognized it as Coral's voice, so she stopped and went to take a look.

Coral was sitting on the ground, covering her eyes. There was a basketball lying next to her; clearly, she had been hit hard.

The rest of Class Eighteen were all around her. Faye was checking her injury with concern. "How is it? Did it hurt your eyes?"

Coral shook her head and rubbed her eyes.

Faye let out a sigh of relief, but after seeing the large bruise on Coral's left eye, she was still furious.

"Mr. Tristan, you've gone too far!" Charlotte, always quick to anger, had already jumped up, pointing at Tristan, who was not far away. "As a teacher, you deliberately hit her with a basketball!"