Chapter 701


    Percival stared at Arthur with an intensity that seemed to cut right through him as if trying to read his soul.


    But Arthur was an enigma, a book whose pages refused to be turned.


    Despite Percival''s knack for sizing people up, Arthur, the revered War God of Veridia, remained an untold story to him.


    With just a side nce, Arthur seemed to catch onto Percival''s musings and let out a derisive chuckle. "You''re wondering why |


    know about the elixir of life? Why | brought it up in front of you? Whether I''m a traitor?"


    Percival was speechless, thinking, "Can you read minds or what?"


    Wait a second.


    Why did his tone sound so familiar?


    Arthur stood up, his gaze icy as he gave Percival a once-over. "Kid, you''ve got a lot to learn. Some things aren''t as simple as


    they appear on the surface!"


    With that, Arthur turned on his heel and strode away.


    Pausing at the doorway, he seemed to remember something and looked back at Percival. "The Vanguard Agency? It''s history as


    of today!"


    Without another word, Arthur left.


    Percival watched Arthur''s retreating figure, his eyes shadowed with thought.


    After a moment, he looked up at the Vanguard Agency, then walked away.


    Meanwhile, Vivienne had made her way to the Frostfire Intelligence Agency, insisting that Matthew focus on finding her father.


    After Matthew briefed her on recent missions, Vivienne left. With Percival tied up in work, she suddenly realized she had


    nowhere in particr to go.


    Then it struck her — she hadn''t taken the Thaddeus and Isolde out for fun in ages. With a free day ahead, she decided to treat


    the kids to a day out.


    Her ce was just a stone''s throw from the Hawthorns, so she headed over to pick up Thaddeus.


    As Vivienne arrived, only Cordelia was home.


    Upon seeing Vivienne, Cordelia''s face lit up with surprise, quickly followed by a warm smile. "Vivienne! What a pleasant


    surprise!"


    Ever since Dorianunched his boutique fragrance business, he had been swamped. Vivienne, too, had her te full, and visits


    to the Hawthorns’ had been scarce.


    Dorian had tried inviting Vivienne over for a family dinner a few times, but she was always tied up.


    Cordelia had been nning to visit Karen in the hospital and was taken aback to see Vivienne turn up first.


    With a bright smile, Cordelia weed Vivienne in. "Come in, dear. You really should give us a heads-up next time so | can whip


    up something nice. We''ve got nothing in the kitchen right now. Tell you what, I''ll call your dad and have hime home for lunch.


    We can all go out for a meal!"


    Since thepany took off, not only Dorian but also Cordelia had been busy helping out. With Thaddeus now in boarding school


    during the week, the house was quiet except on weekends.


    After workingte the previous night, Cordelia hadn''t yet had the chance to shop for groceries. Thus, there was literally nothing in


    the kitchen.


    Vivienne chuckled, "No need, Cordelia. | was thinking of taking Thaddeus out for a bit of fun today.”


    Ever since Vivienne reconciled with Karen, she had taken to calling Dorian and Cordelia by their first names — not out of


    distance, but for rity''s sake. It avoided confusion during family gatherings when she was calling out for ''‘mom'' or ‘dad.’


    "We can have fun any day. Today, we eat together. It''s been too long since you''ve been home," Cordelia insisted firmly.


    To Cordelia, Vivienne was as dear as a biological daughter, and she longed to treat her to a good meal, knowing how busy she


    was. After all, she knew that Vivienne rarely had time to eat a proper meal when she was busy. More importantly, she had heard


    that Karen did not know how to cook. Thus, Cordelia was worried that even if Karen were not unconscious right now, she


    probably would not be able to take good care of Vivienne.


    Vivienne couldn''t shake her off and suggested, "How about | take Thaddeus out now, and we have a home-cooked meal this


    afternoon? Cordelia, I''ve been craving your homemade spaghetti!"


    Cordelia was quick to reply, "Then I''ll head to the supermarket right now and get what we need for your favorite pasta."


    Concern etched on her face, Cordelia continued, "Look at you, you''ve lost weight! How''s Percival been looking after you? He


    promised us he''d take good care of you!"


    Cordelia said indignantly, "Next time | see him, I''ll have to ask what on earth he''s been so busy with that he can''t even make sure


    you eat properly.”


    Vivienne rubbed her temples, slightly overwhelmed by Cordelia''s care.


    "Cordelia, | haven''t lost weight, I''ve gained,” Vivienne said earnestly, "Three pounds!"


    Cordelia looked skeptical. "Impossible, you look thinner to me!"


    Vivienne stepped onto the scale, and indeed, she was three pounds heavier, but Cordelia was still not satisfied. "Only three


    pounds? That''s not looking after you properly. You should be gaining at least ten!"


    Vivienne was at a loss for words.


    Just then, Thaddeus emerged from his room, thirsty, and stopped in his tracks at the sight of Vivienne. His face lit up with joy as


    he eximed, "Sis! I''ve missed you so much!"


    He had been on the phone with Isolde, and due to the noise on the other end and the excellent soundproofing of the house, he


    hadn''t heard Viviennee in.


    Thaddeus hugged Vivienne tightly, rubbing his cheek against hers. "Why haven''t youe to see me in so long? I''ve missed


    ying with you."


    Thaddeus had grown more outgoing, likely from spending time with Isolde. The once introverted boy was now full of life and


    eager for Vivienne''spany.


    Isolde was a sweetheart, a ssmate


    of Thaddeus at the local school. They


    were practically ingepatableC O''"!


    spgncingrnébr)\every weekend


    together. Over time, the rough


    patches Thaddeus had experienced


    seemed to fade from his memory.


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    NovelDrama.Org.


    Vivienne gave his head a gentle tousle and whispered, "Go get changed. I''m taking you out for some fun!"


    "Really?" Thaddeus''s eyes widened with excitement. "You mean it, Sis? You''re really gonna take me out?"


    “Absolutely, now scoot!"


    "Yippee! I''m gonna have a st, finally hanging out with my sister!" Brimming with exhration, Thaddeus dashed into his room


    and quickly slipped into his casual gear.


    Cordelia watched her son''s antics with a mix of amusement and resignation.


    Even with a hectic work schedule, she always made time for Thaddeus on the weekends.


    Now that they were more


    comfortable financially, she mad


    point of taking hiep que eieny~ ?


    WeRREHE! Tey had been to all the


    local attractions—theme parks, zoos,


    you name it, they had done it all


    around Rivenwood. Please read the


    original content at NovelDrama.Org.


    But it seemed that no matter how much fun they had, it never quite lit him up the way Vivienne''s presence did.


    Today, Thaddeus was decked out in a cool casual outfit, topped with a sleek ck cap and a small backpack slung over his


    shoulder, looking every bit the dapper young man.


    He approached Vivienne and took her hand confidently. "Sis, can we invite Isolde along? And maybe some of our ssmates?"


    He paused, then added, "There''s this


    girl, Amelia Littleton. She''s had it


    pretty rough. Her dad Ree ees


    dh mageul wen & ard. Just a


    ile back, her mom broke a


    customer''s stuff and had to pay a ton


    of money. She worked herself to the


    bone to make up for it, even fainting


    from overwork..." Please read the


    original content at NovelDrama.Org.


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