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Chapter_12
Vivienne crossed her arms, not bothering to hide her irritation. “You called me here under false pretenses, Mr. Ellington. What do you really want?” she asked, her voice calm but firm.
Percival leaned back in his chair, the smile on his face widening slightly. “I thought it was clear. I just wanted to talk.” He placed the pendant on the table between them. “About everything.”
Vivienne eyed the pendant for a moment before lifting her gaze to meet his. “I’m not interested in small talk,” she replied flatly. “Especially not with someone who can’t seem to make up their mind.”
Percival’s expression shifted, the playful glint in his eyes turning more serious. “I never said I didn’t want the engagement. Just… wasn’t sure at first.”
Vivienne raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So you’ve changed your mind?”
Percival nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving hers. “I believe I’ve come to understand the situation better. I may have been too hasty before.” He paused, allowing the silence to hang between them. “But now, it seems we have more important things to address.”
Vivienne didn’t respond immediately, instead taking a seat across from him. “Such as?”
His smile returned, albeit a little less confident. “We can start with your treatment of Isolde. I don’t think you want anyone to know about your involvement, but I’ve already figured it out.”
Vivienne’s expression tightened, but she said nothing. The mention of Isolde’s treatment caused a shift in the atmosphere. She had been so careful, but now it seemed her secret was out.
Percival leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. “If you’re trying to protect her, it’s admirable. But you know as well as I do that keeping secrets can be dangerous.”
Vivienne stared at him, her gaze unwavering. “What do you want from me?”
Percival sat back again, the game in his eyes almost too clear. “I think it’s time we both stop pretending. No more games, Ms. Hawthorn. If you’re willing to help Isolde, we can make a deal. And if you want to keep the engagement, then I’m all for it.”
Vivienne took a deep breath, her thoughts running fast. This wasn’t a situation she had expected when she first agreed to meet him. But now, it seemed like everything was coming to a head.
“Let me make it clear, Mr. Ellington,” she said after a long pause. “I’m not doing this for anyone’s benefit other than Isolde’s. If you think you can use this to manipulate me, you’re mistaken.”
Percival didn’t seem surprised by her response. If anything, it only fueled his resolve. “I don’t expect you to do it for me, Vivienne,” he said, his voice softer now. “But there are things we both want, and sometimes those things align in ways we don’t expect.”
Vivienne didn’t answer immediately. She took the pendant in her hand, turning it over. The colors in the intricate design shimmered in the light.
The silence stretched between them, but this time, it felt like an understanding had been reached. Neither of them was willing to back down easily, but both of them were starting to realize that their fates might just be more intertwined than they had initially believed.
