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."

dedicated his life to serving the country, understood all too

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

distinction; he saw the bigger picture clearer

he stood up, his voice firm. "I've taken care of

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

here?" Vivienne

target of a national manhunt, but this act of brutality

turned to him, her voice hard. "Hailey

she and Mr. Wolf knew of Abigail's special abilities; Yorick had been

If she isn't the real Hailey,

her resolve

the scene, suggested they might still catch Abigail

back. "Remember what Abigail

Vivienne realized, an eerie motive that didn't entirely make

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

get far. Her end is in a government lab, she

moved by guilt and resolve, promised his unconditional support. This enemy, he declared,

to be cleaned, Vivienne and Percival left for the

by the eerie stillness of

greeted them. "Ms. Hawthorn, you've finally come. Please,

eyed Colin's unsettling attire, a flicker of unease passing

"Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, Winston is safe now. Nothing

remained unfazed,