Chapter 362


    The lock clicked open, revealing its contents in the dim glow of the room. It was a stack of neatly


    enveloped documents and a book.


    Vivienne rifled through the papers until her eyes fell upon a particr envelope marked boldly:


    [Paternity Test Results]!


    [Test Subjects: Scott Brooks, Vivienne Hawthorn]


    [Result: Positive Paternal Match]


    Percival''s heart skipped a beat as he read the results.


    "A positive match?" He murmured, turning to Vivienne with a puzzled frown.


    “What’s going on? Didn’t Vivienne say she was not Scott''s daughter?" He thought.


    He had investigated Vivienne''s background only once initially, and it hade up empty. Thus,


    everything he knew about her was only everything she wanted him to know. Back then, she told him


    she was not Scott’s daughter, and he had taken her at her word.


    However, the paternity test showed that this was clearly not the case.


    Vivienne sifted through the rest of the documents. There were ten in total, each one a paternity test


    from a different testing center, all with the same result. With a sly smile, she tucked the papers back


    into the envelope.


    Turning to Percival, she exined, "I''m not his daughter. My mother had my genes altered. No matter


    This is from N?velDrama.Org.


    which agency conducts the test, it''ll always show a match."


    Vivienne did not say more, but Percival understood her. There had to be a reason for Vivienne’s mother


    to do this.


    Without further ado, Vivienne directed Percival''s attention to the book. It was not ancient, but it was


    worn, the kind that had been used often.


    The book was actually a journal. Its pages were filled with handwriting added over time. However, the


    script within was foreign to Vivienne and Percival, not belonging to any knownnguage or script they


    had ever encountered.


    ncing at the clock and noting the half-hour they had spent, Vivienne suggested, "Let''s take photos


    and study thister."


    Percival nodded, quickly capturing the mysterious text with his smartphone. They then carefully ced


    the box back and vanished from the room.


    Downstairs, the Brooks Mansion was buzzing with guests. After emerging from Scott''s room, Vivienne


    and Percival parted ways. Percival exited the mansion only to re-enter from the front, blending with the


    arriving guests.


    Vivienne made her way to the dining area, where K spotted her first and waved her over. "Vivienne,


    At K''s table sat Ronald, Carl, Ashley, and Darren. All the people Vivienne did not mind being around.


    Thus, she paused for a moment, then headed toward them.


    K pulled Vivienne to sit beside her and whispered, "After we finish eating, we n to hit the shops


    downtown. Come with us."


    K had only attended the event out of obligation to her family, to spare her parents any


    embarrassment. Now, she sought to ensure Vivienne would not feel ufortable staying at the party


    any longer than necessary. Thus, she made ns with Carl and the others to go shopping after dinner.


    Vivienne appreciated K''s kindness and offered with a smile. "Maybe... I''ll treat you all to a meal


    “Huh?” Confused, K nced at the spread before her. There were over a dozen appetizers, with


    more courses toe. Surely, they would be full by then, right?


    But Vivienne just grinned, keeping her ns to herself.


    Meanwhile, Calista stood beside Judith in avish designer dress, her poise a mask for her growing


    impatience. She had insisted on greeting the guests, especially to catch Percival''s eye the moment he


    arrived. Yet, he was nowhere to be seen, and the ttery of insincere guests was wearing her thin.


    Just as she was about to excuse herself, she caught sight of Percival stepping out of a car with


    Richard.


    Percival, in his ck suit, exuded an air of sophistication and aloofness that pulled at Calista''s


    heartstrings.


    She quickly adjusted her expression and approached Percival with a dignified smile. "Mr. Ellington,


    you..."


    But before she could finish, Percival strode past her without a nce, his indifference cutting her


    deeper than any word could.


    Frozen in ce, Calista watched as Richard gave her a dismissive look and muttered, "Hideous!"


    Richard had never nned to attend the gathering, but his pride would not allow him to miss it after the


    Brooks family had caused his granddaughter-inw such grief. If Vivienne was not happy, neither was


    he. And when he was unhappy, he was going to stir the pot. He was here to make a scene.


    Calista''s face turned a shade of stormy blue. One man ignored her, and the other openly insulted her.


    She was the Brooks family''s golden girl, yet she received no respect.


    As the crowd''s curious eyes fell upon her, Calista clenched her fists and forced a smile, her thoughts


    seething with indignation. They may not see her worth now, but she was determined to make Percival


    need her one day.


    Upon entering the party, Richard immediately sought out Vivienne. Spotting her, he made his way over


    and dered, "Vivienne,e sit with your grandpa!"


    Percival nced over at Vivienne, who was mingling with some guests a short distance away. Instead


    of joining her, he made his way to the Sterling family''s table and took a seat.


    The moment Leopold spotted him, he nearly jumped out of his skin and instinctively shuffled behind his


    dad for cover.


    With a lift of his eyebrows and a crooked smile, Percival spoke in a soft, teasing tone, "Leopold, have a


    few days apart made me a stranger? Come on, sit by me."


    Leopold''s skin crawled, and he chuckled awkwardly. "Ahem! I''m, uh, quitefortable here, thanks...


    You enjoy your meal, okay? All good!"


    Percival''s gaze lingered on Leopold, the smile ying at his lips growing wider.


    Leopold felt like prey under the gaze of a hungry wolf, his heart pounding rapidly in his chest!


    As thest of the guests arrived, Calista''s family reunion feast officially began.


    Baron was nowhere to be seen, so Scott took the stage to speak.


    "Today, we celebrate my daughter Calista''s family reunion feast..."


    He had barely started when amotion at the gate drew everyone''s attention.


    A group of heavily armed individuals barged in, surrounding the Brooks family in no time. The guests


    were visibly shaken.


    All this for a family reunion feast? Since when did it require such a show of force?


    Scott''s eyes narrowed, and just as he was about to speak up, about a dozen people made a beeline for


    Calista.


    "Calista Pendleton?" The leader''s voice boomed with authority, his presence alonemanding and


    intimidating.


    Startled, Calista stammered, "I...I am Calista, what''s the problem?"


    She had never seen such a spectacle and was instantly petrified.


    "You are under suspicion of using infants for virus research, attempting to release a virus in Veridia,


    and endangering national security. By the orders of our superiors, you are hereby under arrest!"


    The leader showed the warrant for Calista’s arrest.


    As themand was given, the armed group took control of Calista.


    She was led outside before she could even process what was happening. When she finally snapped


    back to reality, panic took over, "Virus research? There must be some mistake! It''s not me. I did not do


    anything!"


    Today was supposed to be about her family reunion, and it hadn''t even properly started. How could it


    end like this?


    No!


    This was not the oue she had envisioned!