Chapter 522
Maddox''s voice carried a hint of mockery.
It was no wonder he looked down on the Boyds; after all, what they coveted had always belonged to
the Perez family. The Boyds had stolen the secrets years ago, yet they had made no progress. And
now, they were still obsessively clinging to it.
Theft had apparently be their legacy.
Vivienne could understand, though. After all, heirlooms handed down through generations often
became seen as rightful possessions by the descendants.
But why were the Boyds, with their advanced bionic tech and contracts in hand, still seeking
coboration with the Ashfords? Was it possible they could not even decipher the contract themselves?
"Uncle, who did the Boyds draft this contract with?" Vivienne inquired.
Maddox looked down, his brows knitting together. After a moment, he spoke gravely, "The Perez family
actually initiated this contract. It includes all the technical concepts and outlines for bionic technology.
When the Boyds stole it, the Perez family did not draft a new one or seek other partnerships. Instead,
they decided to research on their own. However, to be precise, the project was shelved."
Maddox did not specify the other party of the contract, but Vivienne understood.
Some ancient warrior lineages worked for the nation; this partner must be the government.
She did not press further, content with knowing the contract''s contents. The bionic tech from back then
was no longer a secret; even as a child, Vivienne had been aware of it.
Her mother had shared the basics of bionic tech with her but had not divulged much, nor had she
involved Vivienne in the work. The Ashfords were tasked with developing some of the more sensitive
After her mother''s death, Vivienne had stayed away from the world, sequestered in a spiritual retreat,
never meddling with bionic tech again.
Now, Vivienne was sure that the Boyds'' intent in coborating with the Ashfords was to reim their
stolen technology.
"I''ve got it, Uncle. Thanks," Vivienne said, tucking the notebook away.
Maddox let go of the severity that did not quite suit him and smiled. "Hungry? Let me treat you to
something."
Vivienne shook her head. "Nah, you should think about how to calm Grandpa down and get your credit
cards back."
"You little snitch, you ratted me out to your grandpa," Maddox sighed, feigning betrayal. “All my
kindness for naught.”
Vivienne''s cheeks flushed at the memory of that pink-hued night. She put on her sunsses. "Mr. Wolf
is waiting to have lunch with me. I should go."
N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.
"Go on then, ditch your uncle for your beau," Maddox waved her off, indicating she was free to leave.
Yet, he remained seated.
Vivienne smiled and stood up to leave.
As she walked out, a poised woman crossed her path. Her attire screamed wealth and status.
They brushed past each other, and Vivienne caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance - "Ephemeral," a
perfume she had once crafted. After itsunch, a mysterious buyer snapped it up, andter, she
discovered that the buyer was the Perez family!
The woman nced at Vivienne but quickly averted her gaze without any sign of recognition.
Vivienne slowed her pace, hearing the woman''s voice behind her. "Maddox, I knew it was you! Saw
you from outside. What brings you here, a date?"
"Wi''s not around. Who am I supposed to date? What are you doing here?"
Leaving the café, Vivienne had already pieced together the woman''s identity.
Diana Perez, one of the Perez family''s heiress.
Diana sat opposite Maddox, ncing at the departing Vivienne. "Maddox, was that the girl Dad took
under his wing, Vivienne?"
Maddox finished his coffee as if it were water and said curtly, "That''s none of your concern."
Diana''s voice was tinged with hurt. "Maddox, I just wanted to help out. Why push me away? I just
wanted to get to know Vivienne; after all, we''re family."
“Diana, Vivienne doesn’t like to be disturbed. You’re better off staying at home or shopping the beauty
salons.” Maddox put on his sunsses and was about to leave.
"Maddox, when can I join thepany?” Diana stood up and stopped Maddox. “I''m old enough, and
even Dad said I should get some experience, and Luke wants me to go, too. Why won''t you agree?"
Maddox peered at her through his dark shades, his gaze intense. "If I''m not mistaken, you''re thirty-five
this year, right? It''s high time you found someone and settled down. That way, Dad can rest easy. You
grew up in the Perez household; naturally, you''ll have your share. You don''t need to enter thepany
to im your inheritance."
"That''s not what I meant..."
Maddox cut her off sharply, his voice cold. "Then why were you snooping around for the contents of
Dad''s will?"
Exposed, Diana stood speechless, her pride wounded. Maddox had lost his patience. "Whatever your
reasons, Diana, I''ll let it slide this time. But if there''s a next time, I won''t be so lenient."
Diana stepped aside, allowing Maddox to leave. She watched him exit the café, her eyes filling with
resentment. In the Perez family, only she and Wi were outsiders.
However, Wi was the darling of the whole family, while she was practically invisible, never even a blip
on their radar!
That Wi was even the child of the family’s enemy!
Why, oh why!
Just because Maddox liked her?
And then there was Vivienne, who had not even set foot in the Perez household yet and was already
the apple of their eye.
Her sis-inw even went out of her way to prepare the finest room for Vivienne to stay in.
She decorated it with more care than her son''s room.
“I changed the paternity test! How did this happen?” Diana clenched her fists tightly, thinking.
Missing for thirty years, why did she have to show up now?
So, she altered the report, ensuring Vivienne could never reim her ce in the Perez family.
And yet, even stripped of her blood ties, Vivienne had be an adopted granddaughter.
Why was life so damn unfair!
She ved away, caring for the Perez family, so why did nobody like her?
Suddenly, a voice called behind her, "Miss Perez, staring won''t make him turn back." Content belongs
to Draмanоvеls
"Who are you?" Diana asked warily.
The woman gave a sultry smile and tapped the table, "Sit down, let''s chat."
Diana looked around; nothing seemed amiss, so she sat down but remained on guard, "What do you
want to talk about?"
The woman ordered an Americano, took a sip, and then licked her lips with an air of satisfaction, "Let
me introduce myself. I''m F-Poison."
Diana was shocked to her core!
This woman was F-Poison.
But was F-Poison not supposed to be a man?