The Million-Dollar Heart

Percival's face darkened.

Vivienne picked up the note, her icy eyes narrowing slightly. "Where did you find this?"

With a sigh, Flynn replied, "When I woke up this morning, it was on my nightstand. Imogen and I saw it straight away."

Cecilia was visibly shaken. "Our security system is state-of-the-art. There were no signs of a break-in last night. How could someone have slipped a knife under our noses? It's absolutely terrifying."

After a pause, Cecilia shot a hesitant glance at Imogen. "I don't mean anything by it. I'm just curious... Any chance your ex might be lurking around Rivenwood?"

Imogen dabbed at her eyes. "Cecilia, Flynn was my first love. I never had a boyfriend before him, and few guys were interested in me. Even if there were, they're all abroad now. I have no clue what this note means."

Flynn pulled Imogen into his arms, soothing her with gentle strokes on her back. "I know it's not you. Stop crying."

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Cecilia offered her a tissue, joining Flynn in comforting her.

Vivienne handed the note to Percival.

They all knew that this note was asking for Belle.

Clearly, someone was getting impatient.

Belle, undoubtedly, was harboring secrets.

For some time now, Vivienne had kept Belle hidden in a place no one would suspect without pressing her for information.

After all, she already knew what she needed to know. Except for the information about the boss of GTO!

But Vivienne was in no rush. The guy would slip up when the time was right.

Percival upgraded the Ellington family's security to the highest level,

Cecilia and Vivienne,

to ponder the audacity of

returned from abroad and was unlikely to have offended anyone. The culprit

good on your end?" Richard

"Yeah," Percival responded.

a

Ellington family haven't taken anyone. It seems someone's got their sights on

too well that if anyone was stirring up trouble, it was

never meddled in Percival's affairs, Richard was aware that his grandson was involved in perilously high-stakes business not meant for

at the Ellington Mansion, Richard already discovered that Percival had done

the danger to invade

"Don't worry,

Richard pressed no further.

in the living

cheeks. The shock had

not surprising, though. Anyone who wakes to find a knife looming over them would

as naturally timid as Imogen, it

then

okay. Let me help you relax," Vivienne said,

her waterfall-like hair to one side, allowing Vivienne to ease

skilled touch eased Imogen's fear, who said with gratitude, "Vivienne,

her gaze lingering on Imogen's glossy hair. "Your hair is

confessed, "Flynn takes care of it for me. I don't cut it much. After every wash, he applies conditioner and shows me how to blow-dry it properly. It works wonders." As the mood lightened, Cecilia chuckled and said, "No wonder you cherish your hair so much. Isolde says you're always brushing it. It's taken care of so

do," Imogen confessed, stroking her hair, "but the frequent brushing makes it less noticeable." She then turned to Vivienne, concern returning to her features. "About that knife...

a smile, then caught

"The tattoo? I got it while abroad. Flynn chose the design. Though the tiger is a bit intimidating, I thought it looked cool, so I went for