Vivienne gazed deeply into the eyes of her mother, whom she had waited over ten years to reunite with. There was an undeniable reluctance to let go.
Memories, after all, weren't everything. If they couldn't be retrieved, then so be it.
Karen ruffled Vivienne's hair affectionately. "Frost, I believe in you. You're my pride and joy in this world, and nothing will ever pose an obstacle in your way. You're my treasure, and whatever you set your mind to, you'll surely succeed."
She knew her daughter all too well.
Vivienne didn't want to lose her; she didn't want to be cast into the world as an orphan again.
Indeed, those lost memories weren't crucial.
She now knew how she had vanished and had been reunited with her biological father. Whether her memories returned or not wasn't important.
When F-Poison had abducted her from the Perez family, Diana hadn't even seen his true face.
At Scepter University, the white-haired old man who knew F-Poison had only seen Elliot's face.
Flynn might know, but he would never tell.
Thus, in this entire world, Karen was the only one who might have seen F-Poison's real face.
And those lost memories? They needed to be recovered at all costs.
Vivienne bit her lower lip pensively. "I only have one chance."
One opportunity: success meant jubilation; failure meant no second chances.
Karen smiled reassuringly. "I know, but I'm not going to die. Your mentor has seen it in the cards – I'm going to live to be two hundred!"
Vivienne knew her mother was jesting, but it helped ease her tension slightly.
Karen continued, "I must recover that part of my memory, so rest assured, nothing will happen to me. And my dear daughter, when have you ever faced defeat?"
Holding Vivienne's hand tightly, Karen said, "Go ahead with confidence. No matter what happens, I'm here for you."
Vivienne's lips were pressed firmly together, and she didn't respond for a long time.
She was contemplating, hesitating.
But seeing the resolve in Karen's eyes, her uncertainty seemed to fade away.
"Alright, we'll start tomorrow. For today, how about we go back and have a potluck dinner with Grandpa and the uncles?"
"Sounds perfect!"
The mother and daughter left hand in hand, and Percival, seeing the streaks on Vivienne's cheeks, didn't ask any questions. He took their bags and drove them back in his usual dependable manner.
Back at the Perez Mansion, Zelda had prepared a hearty stew, knowing Karen was coming home with a craving.
The whole Perez family bustled about in preparation for the feast.
Except for Maddox.
The bachelor was immersed in playing house with Natalia and Yasmine.
As Vivienne, Percival, and Karen entered, they saw Maddox's head adorned with a variety of colorful hair clips.
"What role are you playing today, Uncle Maddox?" Vivienne chuckled.
Maddox heaved a sigh, only to be scolded by Natalia, "Vivienne, don't talk to him; he's in time-out!"
Yasmine sighed, "I mean, come on, Yuri, don't be so harsh on the kid. So what if she didn't finish her homework? Can't we just eat first?"
Vivienne finally caught on; Natalia and Yasmine were impersonating Zelda and Yuri Perez, and Maddox was, well, themselves!
Vivienne laughed. "Uncle Maddox, have Natalia and Yasmine stopped letting you play the boy roles?"
Maddox looked helpless, sighing. "Having too many nieces isn't great either. Fredrick, when are you going to have a son?"
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