Chapter 229


    Percival furrowed his brows and nced at Vivienne, who was busily texting.


    "Percival, this is no time for love affairs." Leopold said sternly.


    Percival redirected his gaze. His voice was deep and somber as he said, "Indeed. It''s time to return to


    Rivenwood."


    "Rivenwood?" Vivienne approached, arching an eyebrow. "Mind if I hitch a ride?"


    Percival looked at her in surprise. He had been pondering how to convince Vivienne to apany him


    to Rivenwood.


    Vivienne showed him her phone screen. He noticed the news about Anna''s disappearance and felt a


    sinking sensation in his heart.


    Dorian, observing the serious expressions on their faces, had a rough idea of what was happening.


    He sighed and asked, "Vivienne, are you leaving?"


    "Yes, I''m heading to Rivenwood." Vivienne turned to him, nodding solemnly. "I''m leaving now."


    There was no time to waste with Anna''s situation. Any dy could mean missing crucial leads.


    "Dorian, you''ve seen how dangerous this object can be in your hands."


    Dorian remained silent.


    "Consider this. If it had been Cordelia and Thaddeus with you today, what might have happened?"


    Vivienne continued, "It''s better if I take it."


    Dorian nced at Percival and the others, noticing Vivienne''s trust in them through her actions today.


    After a long pause, he sighed heavily and handed over a small vial he had retrieved from under the bed


    to Vivienne. "Vivienne, your mother said that unless you were strong enough, you should never get


    involved in this mess. It seems you are strong enough now."


    At least she had allies to fight alongside her. She was not alone and had people to protect her.


    "Thank you, Dorian." Vivienne took the vial.


    The transparent green liquid inside the specially reinforced ss vial was mysteriously tempting.


    This little object had cost her mother''s team their lives years ago.


    Her "thank you" was sincere. She was grateful for Dorian''s help in hiding her mother within the


    Hawthorn family.


    She appreciated his kindness, despite knowing she wasn''t his biological daughter.


    She was thankful for his protection of the vial, even though it brought danger to him and his family.


    Now, it was time for her to lift the burden that had bound him for so many years. This was her destiny


    and her responsibility to bear.


    "Go on then." Dorian smiled. "But remember, you always have a home here."


    "Okay."


    "Don''t worry, sir. I''ll take care of Vivienne." Percival assured Dorian as he wrapped his arm around


    Vivienne.


    Dorian waved them off, his expression bittersweet.


    Without further dy, Vivienne and Percival asked Thomas to take them back to Jade Garden


    Residences to pack.


    Back at the Jade Garden Residences, Cordelia was surprised to see Vivienne and Percival hurriedly


    packing their bags. "Vivienne, Percival? Where are you off to?"


    "I have some business at Elite University. I need to leave immediately." Vivienne exined.


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    Cordelia opened her mouth to say something else, but Dorian cut her off.


    "Let them go." He said with a reluctant smile.


    Cordelia fell silent, understanding something from Dorian''s expression. After a moment, she smiled at


    Vivienne. "Alright. Be safe."


    "Thank you, Cordelia." Vivienne replied softly.


    She had grown gentler towards her loved ones, shedding the aggressive demeanor she once had.


    When she first returned to the Hawthorn family, she intended to investigate where the vial was and


    avenge her mother. But over time, she started to appreciate Dorian''s kindness and to value the sense


    of family she found there.


    Now, it was time for her to take on her destiny and responsibility. She would protect her family, just as


    they had protected her.


    Vivienne nced at Thaddeus, who was cradling Zara, and ruffled his hair affectionately with a teasing


    smile on her face and affection in her eyes. "Thaddeus, you need to behave while I''m gone."


    "Can''t you take me with you?" Thaddeus''s big eyes glistened with tears, and Zara in his arms let out a


    sympathetic "meow."


    "Be good, Thaddeus. I''ll be back."


    She was heading to Rivenwood this time and probably wouldn''t be able toe back often.


    Dorian and the others had their own lives to lead. They couldn''t possibly bring Thaddeus along.


    "Promise you''lle back soon, then." Thaddeus said, bravely holding back his tears.


    Vivienne''s heart melted. She bent down to hug Thaddeus gently, then handed him something. "Here.


    This is a gift for you."


    "Vivienne!" Both Astrid and Alfred, hearing that Vivienne was leaving, hurried down from their rooms on


    the third floor. "Why are you leaving so suddenly?"


    "I have some business in Rivenwood." Vivienne replied, smiling at Astrid.


    "I see." Astrid didn''t press for details. She smiled back. "That''s alright. I''ll be transferred to Rivenwood


    in a few days myself. Though my job doesn''t give me much time off, we''ll still be able to meet up."


    "Exactly." Alfred chimed in with a big grin on his face. "When that happens, we will treat you to dinner."


    "Deal." Vivienne waved at the Hawthorn family, then turned and left with Percival, who had been


    waiting at the door.


    Once they were gone, something slipped from Thaddeus''s grasp since he was holding Zara and fell to


    the floor with a tter.


    Cordelia picked it up. It was a property deed for a house in Tranquil Estates with Thaddeus''s name on


    it.


    Cordelia''s eyes widened in shock. She reached out and grabbed Dorian''s arm. "Dorian, look at this!"


    Dorian looked and was just as stunned. "A property deed for Tranquil Estates? What''s going on? Why


    is Thaddeus''s name on it?"