The Million-Dollar Heart novel Chapter 553

Without a word, Percival stepped forward and yanked the man being pecked at by the parakeet away from Birdie.

The man, powerless against the bird and certainly unable to resist Percival's grip, allowed himself to be escorted to the lounge.

"Old Geezer! Old Geezer!" The parrot squawked triumphantly upon reaching Vivienne, ceasing its pecking frenzy to perch atop the man's head, its tiny head held high in a display of pride as if to say: "Praise me, come on, praise me!"

Fuming, the man plucked Birdie from his head and, gripping its neck, growled menacingly, "You dumb bird, I should've wrung your neck when I had the chance. You ungrateful creature, what made you betray me this time?"

Flapping its wings in a futile attempt to escape, the parrot broke free and landed on Darren's shoulder.

"Chicken tenders, chicken tenders!" It chirped.

Chicken tenders were Birdie's favorite, and Darren had stocked up on them at home, dedicating half the freezer to the bird's preferred snack.

Pounding his fist in frustration, the man lamented, "All for some chicken tenders, Darren? After all these years, couldn’t you have spoiled it with something fancier?"

The treacherous bird, selling him out for mere chicken tenders, just like that wretched girl!

Darren, still puzzled, asked, "Excuse me, sir, do we know each other?"

Percival, unfazed, stepped forward and ripped off the man's disguise, revealing his true face.

Darren nearly collapsed in shock.

It was Finnian, Vivienne’s elusive mentor whom she had been hunting down for debts!

"Holy smokes! Finnian! Is that really you?"

Although Darren was a mere associate member of the mentorship, having fled the fold soon after joining, Finnian was still his mentor.

Caught off guard by Percival's bold move, Finnian scrambled to cover his face with his elbow, exclaiming, "Wrong guy, you've got the wrong guy!"

Vivienne gritted her teeth fiercely. "Finnian! Put your hands down!"

Everyone in the room, including Percival and Finnian, was taken aback.

Those familiar with Vivienne knew she was genuinely enraged.

Seeing his upset disciple, Finnian quickly tried to smooth things with a sycophantic smile. "You silly lass, I was just pulling your leg. Why the long face?"

"Pulling my leg? You faked your death for this long, and you tell me it was a joke?" Vivienne stood up, her eyes brimming with tears as she glared at Finnian.

Finnian, always fond of Vivienne, felt a pang of guilt seeing her cry and hurried to comfort her, "Oh, look at you, shedding precious tears. I'm fine, see? Stop crying, and come check the injury that dumb bird inflicted on me; it hurts like hell."

Vivienne sniffled, standing up to inspect Finnian's head, but to everyone's surprise, she suddenly burst into heart-wrenching sobs.

"You lied again. You're not hurt at all!"

Finnian was in a fluster, pulling out tissues and wiping away tears while apologizing profusely, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Oh dear, I haven't seen you in a while, and you've become such a crybaby. Please, stop crying, be a good girl."

Darren was too shocked to utter a word.

Vivienne crying?

The merciless Vivienne, weeping uncontrollably?

Was this not entirely out of character?

Meanwhile, Percival lounged casually on the sofa, pulling out a piece of paper and scribbling a few lines before silently sliding it in front of Vivienne.