The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Dracon's reaction was like he'd just been slapped across the face, a mocking laugh escaped his lips. "Not satisfied, Dad? And what about you?"

"Ever since I was a kid, you never had a good word for me. You praised my older brother for his courage and determination, my younger brother for his brains and vision. But when it came to me, all you had was disdain. And you say I'm not satisfied?"

"I've been by your side for over a decade, serving you like a butler. And how do you talk about me to others? As a no-hoper, an underachiever, just drifting through life, not even a patch on my brothers." "You constantly brag about them. What have they ever done for you?"

"Dad, it's you who's never satisfied. You just want all three sons to be perfect like you."

Yorick swayed slightly, sighing deeply as if talking to Dracon and himself at the same time.

"I raised you boys with a firm hand. Your brothers made something of themselves, but you always preferred ease and comfort. And now, you blame me for everything." "Enough, enough. You're beyond saving. I'm done trying."

Hearing his father give up on him sparked a deep hatred in Dracon's eyes. "You pushed me to this, made me what I am today. You can't just wash your hands of me."

The moment Dracon pulled out his knife, Vivienne swiftly neutralized him with a flick of her wrist, sending a silver dart to block his movements.

The unneutralized drug in his system intensified its effects.

Dracon quickly began bleeding profusely, not just from the mouth but from every facial orifice.

She coldly disposed of the knife Dracon had intended to use against Yorick, scoffing, "Fools always look for excuses!"

Arthur stepped in to support Yorick, his gaze on Dracon void of any emotion.

Blood spilled from Dracon's mouth as he pleaded, "Dad, save me... I don't want to die."

Yorick was visibly shaken by the scene, unable to harden his heart against his son, despite everything.

"Vivienne, for my sake, give him a chance to live."

"Grandfather, the poison isn't lethal!"

Vivienne replied coolly, proceeding to neutralize the toxin in Dracon.

Dracon experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, from despair to relief, visibly wetting himself from fear.

Vivienne looked at him with disdain. "You claim to be smart, complain about unfair treatment, blame your uncle and my father for stealing your glory. But even if you were handed the entire Linklater estate, do you really think you're capable of standing at its pinnacle?"Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Dracon's eyes filled with resentment.

Again, capability!

Everyone criticized him for his lack of it!

Why?

He never felt inferior to anyone!

Vivienne, seeing through his thoughts, said indifferently, "You think capability is about stealing glory from your family. The honor of the Linklater estate was earned by my grandfather and my father. The talents of the Linklater famil@were earned by my uncle. And you? You've earned nothing but the

reputation of a wastrel."

"My father has dedicated his life to his country, not needing the Linklater name to stand tall. My uncle's position as a diplomat was earned through his own efforts. They don't need the estate."

"If you had just been patient, the Linklater estate would eventually have been yours. Even if it didn't shine as brightly under you, my father and uncle would have supported you. But you chose to scheme against your own family. With such greed, how have you not choked to death?"

Arthur, hearing Vivienne's repeated acknowledgments of her father, couldn't help but beam with pride, his mood brightening considerably at the prospect of finally being recognized as her father. Dracon, stunned by Vivienne's words, turned to Yorick in disbelief. "Dad, is that true?"

If the Linklater estate was to be his, why had he acted so foolishly?

He was essentially fighting against himself.

Yorick, expressionless, confirmed, "Yes."

Approaching Dracon, he looked down at him disdainfully. "I have three sons. Your brothers earned their own honors. Whether or not they had the Linklater name, they would be respected. Only you have achieved nothing. Yet, your years of being by my side, your filial piety, I've seen it all. That's why I told your brothers long ago that the Linklater estate would be yours."

Dracon couldn't believe what he was hearing. He felt like he'd lost his soul. "No, that can't be. If you planned to give me the Linklater estate, why didn't you tell me? If you had, I wouldn't have..." Yorick snorted coldly. "Look at yourself now. How could I tell you? To let you ruin everything I've worked for?"

Dracon hung his head, silent.

"Handing over the Linklater estate to you was agreed upon by your brothers, on one condition: you must prove yourself capable of holding it up. So, I pushed you. You might think my criticisms were meant to belittle you, but your reckless actions left me no choice but to reprimand you."

"When your older brother found out about the poison, he wanted to take you to a military tribunal. I stopped him, agreeing to give you more time. But you've only gotten worse. Do you realize your actions endanger the country?"

Dracon's voice trembled with disbelief, "How is that even possible? I was just helping someone find something, how could that possibly be a threat to the nation?"

He wasn't an idiot!

All he wanted was to gain favor with the Linklater family. How could that translate into jeopardizing the country?

If this ever came out, not only would he kiss his chances with the Linklater estate goodbye, but he could be risking his life. What good would the Linklater family do him then? Would he use their name as a decoration in the underworld?

Vivienne snorted, "Abigail and her little 'revolutionary' organization are plotting to overthrow our way of life, aiming to return to a time when they ruled supreme. She wants to be the sole power!"

"What?" Dracon's eyes widened in

shock, panic quickly setting in. "But, but I didn't do anything! She just asked me to find the Millennia Aegis for her, and I haven't even found it yet! This has nothing to do with me! Dad, dad, you have to help me, I swear I didn't do anything to threaten the nation!"

"The Millennia Aegis," Vivienne said with a smirk, "belongs to the Grimshaw family. Why do you think it's in my possession?"

Dracon was stunned, "In your possession? But she told me it was with the Linklater family! How did it end up with you?"