Chapter 261


    Baron froze. He was visibly annoyed.


    “What’s so special about that old codger Richard? He’s as ugly as a mud fence!”


    Percival and Vivienne were truly at a loss.


    Were these two geezers mortal enemies in a past life?


    Did they love to hate each other in this life?


    After seeing Percival and Vivienne hold their peace, Baron reluctantly waved his hand in irritation. "Go


    on then! That old coot is trying to steal my long-lost granddaughter."


    As soon as he finished speaking, Judith chimed in hurriedly. "Should I have someone prepare a gift?"


    "There''s no need; I''ll take care of it myself." Vivienne replied indifferently.


    Judith paused and sighed.


    She could clearly sense Vivienne''s cold attitude towards their family.


    After all, she had been left to fend for herself for over a decade, enduring countless hardships.


    And with Pa''s recent shenanigans since her return, it was only natural that Vivienne would harbor


    some resentment.


    Judith felt helpless, knowing that all she could do was try to make it up to Vivienne over time.


    After breakfast, Vivienne and Percival set out for the Ellington family’s mansion.


    ...


    The Ellington family’s mansion.


    Richard''s wrinkled face was alight with joy.


    "Cecilia, prepare some good food and drinks. My darling granddaughter-inw ising to visit."


    Upon hearing that Vivienne wasing, Cecilia looked like she was over the moon. She promptly


    instructed the servants to tidy up and prepare for her arrival.


    The Ellington Mansion was soon buzzing with activity.


    Upon hearing themotion, Cathy sent a maid to find out what was happening.


    "She’s just a country bumpkin? Why is the old man treating her like a treasure?!" Cathy scoffed.


    Recalling the information provided by Pa and the billion-dor stone, Cathy made a few phone calls,


    then left her room.


    She hadn''t gone far when she saw Cecilia orchestrating the servants in the living room.


    Cathy paused. She remembered that Cecilia didn''t think too highly of Vivienne or her family.


    So why was she so enthusiastic now?


    As she pondered, she approached Cecilia.


    "Cecilia, did you know that our family unearthed an stone worth over a billion?"


    Without giving it much thought, Cecilia simply replied, "Yes, I know. Vivienne discovered it."


    Cathy was confused.


    Why did Cecilia sound so smug?


    She leaned in closer to probe further. "Did you know that Percival paid 30 million for it?"


    Her own son, Paul, the eldest grandson of the Ellington family, didn''t even have that much for his yearly


    allowance.


    "Yes, I know. It''s just 30 million. My son can earn it back."


    Cecilia looked entirely unfazed.


    Cathy''s face turned green with envy.


    "Percival''s earnings are still the Ellington family''s. The money was spent and it yielded a return, so it


    should belong to our family, don''t you think?"


    Cecilia looked at Cathy for a moment, then chuckled. "Cathy, are you coveting my daughter-inw''s


    money? Let me be clear. That 30 million was Percival''s gift to my daughter-inw. If he''s happy to


    spend it and she''s happy to keep it, then you really shouldn''t concern yourself with it."


    "What are you talking about, Cecilia? I''m only saying this for your own good! You only think about your


    son and daughter-inw, but have they thought about you? They didn''t even offer to share the stone


    with you, did they?"


    Cecilia''s expression turned cold. "My daughter-inw has given me plenty. Cathy, you really shouldn''t


    worry about my family''s affairs."


    Cathy sneered. "She’s just a country girl. What could she possibly give you?"


    Just then, amotion erupted from outside.


    It was Percival and Vivienne arriving.


    Cecilia left Cathy standing in the dust and rushed out to greet them.


    "Vivienne! Come in! Come in!" Cecilia said as she took Vivienne''s hand.


    Before Vivienne could even greet her, Cecilia had already ushered her into the main hall.


    Percival was left standing to one side.


    Percival was dumbfounded.


    Wasn’t he her son?


    Richard was all smiles when he saw Vivienne. "There you are, Vivienne. Did those idiots give you any


    trouble after I left yesterday? If they did, you must tell me. I''ll give Baron a piece of my mind."


    Vivienne looked up at Richard''s concerned face and gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Grandpa! No


    one''s been bullying me."


    "That''s good to hear. If anyone does, you must tell me."


    Vivienne nodded. "Okay."


    She then turned to Nathan Ellington, Percival''s father, standing not far from Richard.


    This was only the second time she had met him. Perhaps due to his years in the business world, he


    always seemed to carry a hint of sharpness, even when he didn''t say a word.


    Vivienne greeted him politely.


    Nathan nodded, his face warm and weing. "How are you living in Rivenwood so far?"


    "It''s good." Vivienne replied, her voice soft.


    "I heard about what happened yesterday from Cecilia." Nathan began. He was a man of few words. "If


    you''re feeling ufortable there, feel free toe to our ce. No one will dare bother you here."


    He didn''t have anything against his daughter-inw.


    If Richard was happy, Percival was happy, and even his wife was happy, then he had no objections.


    But now that Vivienne was part of their family, there was no way he''d allow her to be mistreated.


    He''d been tied up at workte into the night yesterday. If he''d been with them at the Brooks Mansion,


    Eddy''s drama would have been even worse.


    "Thank you, Nathan." Vivienne''s smile was genuine.


    Cathy, standing to the side, frowned at the sight. She was truly irked by Vivienne’s presence. "Percival,


    isn''t your wife a bit too casual? It''s her first time here, and she doesn''t even bother to greet the elders."


    She sipped her coffee with a nonchnt air. "The Ellington''s are an eminent family. We can''t ept


    such ack of manners. You need to teach her better!"


    Cecilia''s face darkened. "Vivienne''s manners are just fine. She doesn’t need any lessons! We''re not


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    royalty; we don''t need such formalities. You should focus on yourself, Cathy!"


    She had been irritated when Cathy casually mentioned the billion-dor stone Vivienne had obtained.


    And now she had to listen to her use Vivienne of having no manners? Ridiculous!


    Her daughter-inw didn''t need to follow any rules.


    As long as Vivienne was willing, even if she wanted to strut around the Ellington''s mansion, she would


    always back her up.


    Cathy''s face changed, and her voice was nowced with anger. "What do you mean? I''m trying to help


    her fit in, and you''re attacking me for it?"


    "Thank you!" Cecilia shot back with an ice-cold tone. "I don''t need your help. Just live your life and stop


    meddling in others'' affairs."


    Cathy''s face turned pale, and she looked at Richard for support. "Dad..."


    She barely opened her mouth before Richard shot her a cold nce. His voice was devoid of warmth.


    "What? My granddaughter-inw needs you to teach her manners? Have you been living such a


    your legs!"