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, changed all the locks, and reinforced the windows and all other potential entry points. Now, not even a fly could

and Vivienne, then

the audacity of leaving a knife by someone's

was unlikely to have offended anyone. The culprit had to be one of the Ellington family's old

all good on your end?" Richard

"Yeah," Percival responded.

it be a corporate rival?"

spoke of giving back someone, and the Ellington family haven't taken anyone. It seems someone's got their sights on our family. Stay vigilant, especially you, Percival." Richard tapped the floor with his cane, signaling his point

knew all too well that if anyone was stirring

that his grandson was involved in perilously high-stakes

time a knife was planted at the Ellington Mansion, Richard already

never expected the

"Don't

Richard pressed no further.

in the

still stained Imogen's cheeks. The shock

wakes to find a knife looming over them would be

for someone as naturally timid as Imogen, it was all

a hand on Imogen's shoulder. Imogen flinched, then quickly apologized,

okay. Let me help you relax,"

to one side, allowing Vivienne to ease the tension in her neck and

skilled touch eased Imogen's fear, who said

lingering on Imogen's glossy hair. "Your hair

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

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... It doesn't mean anything serious, does it? Could Percival have unknowingly crossed someone, and now we face

worry. It's just a prank," Vivienne reassured Imogen with a

design. Though the tiger is a bit intimidating, I thought it looked cool, so I went for