Chapter 423


    Downstairs, Vivienne slid into the car and pulled out her phone.


    Another text message blinked on the screen.


    [Transport, Astrid, someone else pitched in.]


    Percival frowned slightly, "The mysterious informant again?"


    Vivienne massaged her temples, her eyes reflecting a hint of frustration, "Yeah, still no trace. Whenever


    I try to enter their domain, my system crashespletely!"


    The mysterious person''s IP address changed with every message, and tracking them down led to


    system failures or outrightputer crashes.


    The hacking skills were so advanced that even she was at a loss.


    Vivienne had been trying to track the informant with no sess.


    To this day, she still could not determine whether this person was an ally or a smokescreen deployed


    by GTO.


    Percival nced at the message, "Their wording is vague. Can you make anything out of it?"


    Vivienne shook her head, "I can''t make heads or tails of it."


    ConTEent bel0ngs to N?v(e)lD/rama(.)Org .


    Thest two made some sense, but transport?


    Was GTO nning to smuggle something out?


    Their research was notplete yet, so what was it?


    She did not have a solid theory yet and decided to pass the message on to the Nine Mystics Society for


    Draven to investigate.


    "Vivienne, where to now?" Leopold asked.


    Vivienne pocketed her phone. "We''re heading to the Ellington Mansion."


    "To the Ellingtons? For what? Percival, didn''t you just leave? What''s this, homesickness?" Leopold


    asked, puzzled.


    Vivienne pped the back of Leopold''s head.


    When would he learn?


    Percival thought, “When''s Thomasing back? I''m going to go nuts with Leopold''s chatter.”


    Thomas would have retorted, “No! I want to lie in bed forever!”


    After being smacked by Vivienne, Leopold mmed up.


    Vivienne''s p was not ordinary. It was painful as hell!


    Leaning on Percival''s shoulder, she asked, "Who''s home?"


    "Just my mom and granddad. Isolde''s at school," Percival said, wrapping his arm around Vivienne''s


    shoulder and gently kissing her forehead.


    A sudden brake from Leopold nearly sent them both flying.


    "Can''t you drive? Hogging the road!" Leopold cursed, fuming.


    They were in a limited edition car that usuallymanded the road with ease.


    Leopold had always driven freely, never expecting anyone to dare get close.


    Percival nced out the window. "Don''t you see that car there?"


    Then, he paused, a shadow crossing his face. He stared at thepact delivery van, his gaze


    darkening.


    "Vivienne."


    "Yes?"


    Vivienne replied solemnly, but a trace of amusement flickered in her eyes. She now understood the


    message.


    ...


    At the Ellington Mansion, Richard and Cecilia were busy selecting a wedding dress for Vivienne.


    Though the wedding date was not set, it was always good to prepare early.


    "This one''s perfect; it will look stunning on Vivienne," Richard said, pointing to a gown.


    Cecilia disagreed, gesturing to several other dresses. "Dad, I think these are prettier and suit Vivienne


    better."


    Within minutes, they had picked out a dozen gowns.


    Percival walked in with Vivienne, confronted by a sofa covered in dress designs, and paused. "Mom,


    are you and Dad renewing your vows?"


    Cecilia shot him a look and smacked his forehead. "Can''t you say anything nice?"


    Percival was at a loss for words.


    Was everyone around him prone to violence?


    Cecilia said irritably, "I''m too old for another wedding. These are for Vivienne. Move aside; you wouldn''t


    understand."


    She pushed Percival away dismissively and approached Vivienne with a warm smile, "Vivienne, you''re


    here! Why didn''t you tell me? I''ve prepared some treats for you. Hungry for anything in particr? I''ll


    have it made right now."


    Percival massaged his temples. He had wanted to greet Richard, but his grandfather had already made


    a beeline for Vivienne, making him feel invisible.


    Fine!


    He was certain he was not the biological grandchild.


    Vivienne must be.


    After exchanging pleasantries with Richard and Cecilia, Vivienne said, "Grandpa, my father deeply


    regrets what happened at yesterday''s birthday banquet. He sent me to offer his apologies."


    "No need for such formality. It wasn''t your fault; it was Jeffrey''sck of sense. He should be the one


    apologizing to your parents."


    Richard looked apologetically at Vivienne.


    He knew she disliked the spotlight, but yesterday''s incident with the other family branch had forced her


    to reveal her identity.


    Vivienne did not me Richard. His support for her was still fresh in her memory.


    But because of some unsavory characters, the birthday celebration had been ruined.


    She vowed to deal with them, one by one, in time.


    After more small talk, Vivienne pulled out a sketchbook.


    "Grandpa, I sketched this bracelet design yesterday. Ourpany''s imminent partnership with the


    Perez Group hinges on this. It should meet their standards."


    Before Richard could respond, Cecilia eximed, "Vivienne, is this yourtest creation? Isn’t this the


    concept bracelet you introduced years ago? It''s finallyplete!"


    Cecilia, though an aficionado of fine fragrances to the core, was no slouch when it came to curating a


    collection of baubles and trinkets.


    Her cabs were not only brimming with perfume bottles but also adorned with jewels that were the


    envy of the elite.


    Thest time she missed out on snagging Master Jessica''s "Dazzling Stars," she had been in the


    doldrums for weeks.


    But now, with Master Jessica as her daughter-inw, a treasure trove was at her fingertips, ready for


    the taking whenever she desired.


    Vivienne nodded in agreement. "Yes, that piece. I revised some details on it just yesterday."


    Richard knew all too well his daughter-inw''s penchant for such things. To deny her would be to invite


    an endless plea. New chаpter av?ble on NovelDrama.Org


    "Alright, alright, it''s yours." Richard chuckled in resignation.


    Cecilia''s grin was so wide it threatened to consume her face.


    As they were basking in the moment, Fiona pushed the door open and entered.


    Percival''s gaze darkened slightly. Then, his eyes shifted toward the figure following Fiona.


    Calista was there, trailing behind her.


    Cecilia''s mood soured instantly; while not well-acquainted with Calista, she was well aware of the


    Brooks family drama.


    Calista stepped forward, holding a box that contained an incredibly precious herb.


    "Good day, Sir Richard. I took the day off and decided toe over with Fiona. I regret missing your


    birthday feast yesterday, so here is my bted gift."


    Richard''s face remained impassive. "Hah! This old man''s luck isn''t that good, and I''m not rich enough


    to indulge in such luxuries. You''d best take it back."