The Million-Dollar Heart

With a rare holiday break, Percival and Vivienne had been tearing it up for a full two days, reveling in the freedom and thrill of the outside world. Nighttime found no rest for Percival who spent the better part of the darkness sleeping with Vivienne.

Even Vivienne, with her robust constitution, was spent.

By the third day, she was sprawled in bed until noon, only rallying in the afternoon to accompany Percival to Kaitlyn's place.

Elsewhere, at a quaint house turned into a private meeting spot.

Victoria sat at the head of the table, her expression dark as storm clouds, "Have we still not found who took Kaitlyn?"

The bodyguard before her bowed his head. "It seems they were cautious. Surveillance along their path has been erased."

"Damn it!"

Victoria slammed her fist down hard on the table, "Keep searching! And find out if any other families have taken in new faces recently!" Kaitlyn, where on earth have you vanished to?

Dragging along three useless goons and a daughter, do you really think you can escape the watchful eye of our ancient lineage? The bodyguard remained silent, waiting for Victoria to vent her frustration before stepping forward.

"I've investigated about what you said. No one has reported capturing Kaitlyn, and it doesn't seem like she was taken against her will." Those from the ancient lineage weren't known for their charity, certainly not to the extent of letting captives pack their belongings. Victoria had considered this possibility.

But what friends could Kaitlyn possibly have in Rivenwood powerful enough to defy the lineage?

Not likely!

Victoria's eyes suddenly widened as Vivienne's unforgettable face flashed through her mind.

After a moment of silence, she commanded, "Look into that woman who fought us that day. I want to see who has the guts to take us on!" Kaitlyn, you had better be alive! Or else, even as a ghost, I'll drag you back!

At the Littleton Estate.

her family's home, Vivienne had Matthew handle the transfer of ownership. Now, the house belonged

was treating Tyler's

watching both her husband's leg

to say something, but every

to hand over the legacy that the Littletons had protected for generations to

If anything went wrong...

how to live with herself, much less

attention was focused on the silver needles embedded in Tyler's leg, but she didn't miss

It was too obvious!

a brain could tell Kaitlyn was troubled. But Vivienne stayed quiet, waiting for Kaitlyn to

the ointment, should be taken internally. It might hurt, but if you can

Kaitlyn blurted out, overwhelmed with

"Ms. Hawthorn, we can't thank you enough. Without you, our family... we wouldn't know

he could kneel before Vivienne. "Ms. Hawthorn, meeting you has been a blessing. Without your help, my leg and Kaitlyn... we'd still be living in hellish darkness!" His

as she avoided her

odd behavior didn't escape Vivienne

flickered as he said, "Vivienne, now that we've

We're hosting a party in a few days, and I'd like to invite Amelia

to such

"It's no trouble at all. It's

Percival and hand in hand, they started to leave the

had been following behind Vivienne, leaned in close to Kaitlyn and whispered, "Speak now or forever hold your peace. Miss your chance and there's no going back." Anna's

"Ms. Hawthorn, wait!

to herself that she should

silently, "Vivienne's new friend has quite the set of lungs.