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."

to serving the country, understood

before speaking. "You gave your uncle a chance last time for my sake, and I won't ask you to compromise for personal reasons again, not when it concerns someone

Vanguard Agency with distinction; he saw

up, his voice firm.

greeted by a pungent smell of blood. Inside, rather than finding Hailey, they discovered a young servant on the floor,

happened here?"

be a target of a national manhunt, but this act of brutality left no room

her voice hard. "Hailey

Abigail's special abilities; Yorick had

looking grim, declared, "We must catch her. If she isn't the real Hailey, then the real

nodded, her resolve

suggested they might still catch Abigail if they moved

held him back. "Remember what Abigail said yesterday, Mr. Wolf? This is her

"She's after my heart," Vivienne realized, an eerie motive

at all costs. "She dares to harm you, I'd give my last

"she won't get far. Her end

moved by guilt and resolve, promised his unconditional support. This enemy, he declared, must not be allowed to cause further

Vivienne and Percival left for the troubled Wright estate, now facing

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

white, greeted them. "Ms. Hawthorn, you've

a flicker

face twitched slightly, "Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured,

unfazed, "What have