The Million-Dollar Heart

At that moment, Nathan and Cecilia returned home with Isolde, who was just back from school.

"We were picking up Isolde when a car crash happened right outside the daycare. In the chaos, some thug tried to snatch her. If it weren't for the bodyguard Flynn arranged for us, they might have taken our baby girl."

Cecilia was pale, sitting on the couch, still visibly shaken from the ordeal.

Isolde did not speak; she was nestled in Nathan's arms, her tear-streaked face buried in his chest.

Flynn's heart skipped a beat. "Nobody got hurt, right?"

Nathan shook his head. "No, thanks to the bodyguard you arranged. But Isolde's been scared out of her wits. The bracelet she cherished was snatched, and they nearly took her too."

"Something's not right," Flynn said, standing up and pacing the living room. "They were undoubtedly targeting Isolde!"

Isolde flinched at his words, and Cecilia gasped, "Flynn, what are you saying?"

"With Percival and Vivienne still missing, and considering recent events..." Flynn pressed his lips, then turned to Richard. "Dad, I think you should go abroad with them. I'll let you know once I have news about Percival and Vivienne."

Richard frowned deeply, considering Flynn's words.

Nathan comforted his daughter briefly before saying, "Flynn, you're suggesting we lay low overseas?"

Flynn nodded. "Yes. Our family has been through one crisis after another. I won't have peace of mind until you're all safe. You take Dad and Isolde and go. I'll sort things out here with the company and then join you with Imogen and Kenneth. Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for Percival and Vivienne."

After a moment's thought, Flynn asked, "Dad, what do you think?"

Richard was silent for a few seconds before saying firmly, "We'll do as Flynn suggests."

"I'll get someone to book your flights right now. You'll leave tonight," Flynn said, immediately taking out his phone to instruct his secretary.

booked, and the family packed only the

Imogen was tearfully saying goodbye to Cecilia. "Cecilia, We'll find Percival as soon as we can.

home. Things are unstable," Cecilia advised with

wait for me over there. I promise I'll bring Percival and Vivienne

boarded

gaze lingering in the sky long after the aircraft had vanished. Finally, he

Griffin pressed the detonator repeatedly until the last 10 feet of the mine finally

could not use explosives

seized Leopold's shovel and started digging with such furious strength that even

not believe that although their captain's wife had not eaten or slept

doctor's advice and rushed to the scene. Seeing Vivienne's fingers bleeding from the relentless digging, he felt a profound respect for her. She

gawking! You're wounded; go monitor the map and keep us posted on

from calling into the headset, "Mr.

had almost lost her voice, yet there was no

Griffin joined the digging, the tension mounting with

had been an hour since Percival's last response. They couldn't dare to imagine what could happen if they could not

dot on the computer that

finally hit a metal barrier, they were met with a new challenge. The door to the commanding room was jammed shut by

what now?" Leopold cursed, his frustration peaking

fit. Vivienne had kicked it open and emerged from the control room, carrying an unconscious Percival on

"Ms. Vivienne, Captain!"

"Captain! Madam!"

out, but there was no response from Percival,

this, Griffin was near tears, tugging at Leopold, "What do we do

medic over, but Vivienne silently laid Percival on the ground. She pulled a sterile silver needle from her pocket and quickly inserted it into Percival's forehead. Suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of black blood