Chapter 498


    Percival took the file from Micah, his brows furrowing in confusion. It was a mission dossier handed


    down from HQ but without its origin.


    The target was the GTO''s virus research facility nestled in Sea City!


    The file demanded Percival''s covert presence, with Micah coordinating from Rivenwood HQ and the


    three squad leaders on standby.


    Such an order was out of season; it did not make sense.


    Percival rubbed his fingers. "Someone inside HQ is helping us?"


    Micah shook his head. "I called HQ this morning, and they were still steamed about me sending


    Property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Vivienne into the war zone, as well as you and Husky leaking our war zone position to her. No way they


    sent this."


    Percival''s eyes narrowed in thought.


    If not from HQ, then where did this missione from?


    Micah tapped the table, "What''s our first rule of thumb upon joining the team?"


    Percival raised an eyebrow. "Absolute obedience tomand!"


    "Right. We''ve got the dossier, and it''s top-secret, so there’s no need to report back. We execute."


    Percival and Micah exchanged a knowing smile. Whether or not the file was legit, it was an


    unmistakable asset to them.


    After all, Vanguard Agency''s headquarters was in Sea City!


    Percival handed over allmand to Micah, silently signaling Thomas to follow suit, and instructed


    Leopold to guard Griffin''s munitions base. At the same time, Soren stood ready for a call to support


    Sea City.


    The next morning, Vivienne went to the Ellington Mansion early without asking Percival to pick her up.


    She had squared away her affairs the day prior, telling Dorian she would be away from Rivenwood for a


    spell.


    Dorian did not pry. There was no stopping Vivienne once she had made up her mind.


    ...


    At the Ellington Mansion.


    Percival spoke to the family, "Grandpa, I''m taking Vivienne to Sea City. Grandma Wendy had called


    Mom a while back, wanting me to swing by."


    Richard sighed heavily, his distaste for Percival''s maternal side of the family evident.


    Cecilia also hesitated, her gaze on Percival betraying her dissatisfaction with the trip to Sea City.


    After a long pause, Cecilia finally spoke, "Percival, it''s no bother if you don''t go. Your grandmother''s


    side doesn''t have anything pressing—just a bunch of hypochondriacs. Why seek out their


    disapproval?"


    Vivienne found it strange.


    Why was Cecilia so averse to her flesh and blood?


    Nathan agreed. "Your grandmother’s ce isn’t worth a visit, especially with Vivienne. What if she gets


    bullied?"


    Richard chimed in. "Indeed, we''ve cut ties with your grandmother''s family for years. There''s no good


    Percival took Vivienne''s hand, assuring the family. "With me by Vivienne’s side, she won’t face any


    bullying. Rx."


    "I''m not so sure I can," Ceciliained. "Your grandmother is no saint. I remember all too well how


    she wronged your father."


    At this, tears welled up in Cecilia''s eyes.


    Nathan quickly enveloped Cecilia in his arms. "It''s been years, darling. Why the tears every time?"


    "How can I not cry? We’re both her daughters, yet how could she y favorites like this? As if I wasn''t


    her own!"


    Cecilia had even gone so far as to take multiple paternity tests, unable to believe she was really born to


    her family. How else could they have treated her so poorly?


    Percival sighed quietly, sitting beside Cecilia, Isolde on hisp. "Mom, I promise, Vivienne won''t face


    any slight, nor will Grandma Wendy get the chance to. They need to know I already have a fiancée."


    At that, Vivienne raised an eyebrow.


    No wonder the family was concerned about her facing mistreatment. Someone was vying for Mr. Wolf.


    All the more reason to see who dared challenge her for her man!


    Nathan, soothing Cecilia, found his son''s words sensible. They should show them just how ster his


    future daughter-inw was.


    "Percival''s right. Take her to show your mom. Our daughter-inw is the best there is, right?"


    Richard nodded along. "Then, it''s settled. Call me if you need anything. I''ll deal with that old hag


    myself!"


    Nathan quickly intervened. "Let''s not, Dad. Just wait for good news at home."


    He vividly remembered Richard''s confrontation at the Boyd family''s home. The Boyds were probably


    still cursing them to this day!


    Cecilia dabbed her eyes, conceding as her father-inw and husband agreed, then turned to Vivienne.


    "Darling,e with me to the room. There''s something I need to tell you."


    This was the first time Vivienne saw a serious look on Cecilia''s face.


    She followed Cecilia to the bedroom and immediately noticed her perfume on the vanity, shining


    brightly.


    Cecilia sat down, pulled out a box with a lock from the bottom drawer, and opened it with a delicate key


    from her ne.


    "Vivienne,e take a seat," Cecilia said, patting the chair beside her.


    Vivienne moved across and sat down. Her eyes widened as she saw the contents of the small box


    before her—a ring.


    The design was vintage, yet the material still sparkled brightly, a clear indicator of its considerable


    worth.  Draмanovels.cоm


    Cecilia lifted the ring and ced it gently in Vivienne''s palm, her eyes brimming with reluctance and


    affection.


    She was not hesitant to give it to Vivienne; rather, the ring held immeasurable significance to her,


    perhaps even more than life itself.


    Vivienne''s lips parted, ready to refuse such a meaningful heirloom, but Cecilia caught her hand firmly.


    "The ring is for me?" Vivienne had no interest in leading the Boyd family.


    As she spoke, Cecilia took out a notebook and a pen and began to jot down a list of names from top to


    bottom.