The Million-Dollar Heart

The midday sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the scattered rose petals that hadn't been cleaned up yet. Vivienne walked through, feeling a rare moment of serene beauty in the chaos.

After finishing a meal that was too late for breakfast and too early for lunch, Vivienne's phone, silent throughout the morning, finally rang.

Draven was brief. "Miss, there's movement at the Wright estate."

"Keep an eye on them," Vivienne instructed.

Percival cleared the dishes and took off his apron. "Heading to the Wrights?"

"Back to the Linklaters first," Vivienne's eyes narrowed slightly in thought.

Upon their arrival at the Linklater mansion, only Yorick was present in the grand hall.

Seeing Vivienne and Percival, Yorick's face broke into a smile. "Ah, Vivienne, Percival, come in, sit down."

"Grandfather!" they exclaimed in unison.

Yorick nodded, smiling warmly. "Your parents are out, scouting new venues for the wedding."

Vivienne cut straight to the chase. "Grandpa, that's not why I'm here today."

Yorick's expression sobered, perhaps guessing the reason. "Vivienne, I looked into what you told me, but just because she's been abroad for decades doesn't necessarily mean she's..."

Vivienne understood the dilemma; with age, familial bonds often deepen, complicating matters.

"All that matters," she said, "is whether she is or isn't the person in question, it doesn't absolve her of suspicion."

having dedicated his life to serving the country, understood all too

sake, and I won't ask you to compromise for personal reasons again, not when it concerns someone the

Agency with distinction; he

stood up, his voice firm. "I've

blood. Inside, rather than finding Hailey, they discovered a young servant on the floor, his chest

happened here?" Vivienne

face darkened. He'd refused to believe his sister could be a target of a national manhunt, but

turned to him, her voice hard. "Hailey

of Abigail's special abilities; Yorick had been

If she isn't the real

her

they might still catch Abigail if they

him back. "Remember what Abigail said yesterday,

darkened. "She's after my heart," Vivienne realized, an eerie motive that didn't entirely make sense to her

dares to harm you, I'd give my last breath to

far. Her end is in a government lab, she can't touch

his unconditional support. This enemy, he declared, must not be allowed to cause

left for the troubled Wright estate, now facing both internal strife and financial ruin under

the estate, they were struck by the eerie stillness of the once-grand manor under

clad entirely in white, greeted them. "Ms. Hawthorn, you've finally come. Please, come

attire, a flicker of unease passing

"Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, Winston is safe

unfazed, "What