The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

After Vivienne finished speaking, Floyd's smile froze on his face for a brief moment. However, he was looking down, and no one seemed to notice the change in his expression.

The manor looked much the same as it did in Floyd's childhood, yet everything about it seemed to irk him now.

He had barely been back in his room for a few minutes when his phone rang. He walked over to the window and answered it.

The call began with a brief crackle of static before a distorted voice came through, "Everything's set for the day of the gala. There'll be a bomb planted, and all you have to do is press the button. They'll die there." "Understood. Thanks for your efforts. Send over the new research report as soon as you can," Floyd spoke, his gaze fixed on the doorway.

Someone was lingering outside his door. He wasn't sure who it was, but was it too naive of Vivienne's family to suspect him at such a critical moment?

"I won't keep you any longer. Just make sure you're ready to handle what comes next."

The call ended promptly, and Floyd saved the number under a lab contact list.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door. "Floyd, what are you up to? Wanna come out and chat for a bit?"

Opening the door, Floyd found Juliette, a head shorter than him, struggling to look up at him.

"Why'd you have to be so tall? My neck's starting to hurt," Juliette complained, frowning.

Floyd chuckled. "Maybe you should eat more; get a bit taller yourself."

They chatted as they walked outside.

Vivienne and Percival each asked about their recent lives, but everyone was more curious about Floyd, who always seemed too caught up to return home.

"I get it. The lab's short-staffed, so I have to stay and oversee things. Most of my time's spent tangled up in experiments," Floyd explained.

"Guess that means no girlfriend for you then?" Vivienne teased. "Are there any girls at your lab?"

"Well, there are a few, but everyone's too focused on their work for any office romances."

Juliette, thrilled by the conversation, chimed in, "Imagine if Floyd brought home a girl from abroad. His kids could be mixed-race. I'd be the cool aunt!"

Their laughter filled the air as Percival shook his head. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Floyd might already have someone in mind."

As the conversation turned to him, Floyd simply said, "I've been dedicating these years to our research projects. I haven't had much time or energy for anything else. Let's just see what happens."

The thought of killing them hadn't left his mind; how could he dare reveal his true feelings?

Consumed by hatred, Floyd had only one goal: to eliminate Vivienne's entire family. Nothing else mattered to him.

Soon, his phone rang again. Glancing at the caller ID, Vivienne and Percival also saw the screen: 'Lab potion development, David.' Floyd excused himself to answer the call, stepping into the backyard with a serious expression replacing his smile. Juliette's curiosity was piqued. "What's got him so worried? Looks like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders."

Isaiah's intense gaze on Floyd didn't waver. He remained silent, his expression grave.

Vivienne noticed her son's mood. "Isaiah, what's on your mind?"

"Nothing, mom. Have the garden flowers been tended to recently?"

Vivienne paused. "Why, yes. I took care of them just the other day."

"Looks like some weeds have sprouted up again."

In the backyard, Floyd was on a tense call. "They've changed the venue last minute? What's going on? We'll have to disarm the bomb we planted. Can you get the exact address? This feels like a wild goose chase!"

The voice on the other end was frantic, clearly at a breaking point. "Just calm down. I'll double-check everything," Floyd reassured, though his gaze remained fixed on Isaiah, who seemed to harbor a constant suspicion towards him.

After the call, Floyd left the house in a hurry, and Isaiah soon followed, keeping a discreet distance. The tracking device showed Floyd heading towards a lab, confirming Isaiah's suspicions without a shadow of a doubt.

"He's gone," a man in a black mask noted, stepping away from his binoculars.

He watched as Floyd removed a tracking device and tossed it aside, puzzled. "If you knew he was onto you, why not eliminate him and avoid future problems?"

Floyd shot him a glance. "Do you

think Vivienne's son would be anything less than vigilant? His suspicion alone proves he's not to be underestimated. A direct

elbet

approach might just confirm his suspicions. No, if they're to die,

they'll all die together."

Sitting on the couch, Floyd examined the map handed to him. "The red marks show where we initially planted the bomb, but now we've got to start over because of the venue change."

"Didn't you get any notice? Why the sudden switch?"

Floyd frowned at the man's questions. "You're asking me? I've just arrived. What's the use of you guys if you can't even confirm a simple location?!"

The man finally realized the gap between him and his boss, quickly bowing his head in silence.

"Sorry, boss, I was just too anxious, and then the signal cut off. We can't even locate the person now. That's our biggest issue at the moment."

"Can't find the person?" Floyd squinted, sensing that Isaiah had played his cards well. Perhaps the sudden change of location was his doing? With a smirk, Floyd dialed Vivienne's number.

"What's up, Floyd?"

"Where's Juliette and Isaiah's birthday bash being held again? I'm thinking of picking up something for them."

"It's at the convention center where we had that expo. Invitations went out yesterday - forgot to mention it. Whatever you're planning to set up, just head over there. The staff will fill you in on the details." Vivienne didn't hesitate to spill the beans, and a sly smile crept across Floyd's lips.

"Great, I'll make sure it's a birthday they'll never forget."