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

gave your uncle a chance last time for my sake, and I won't ask you to compromise for personal reasons

the Vanguard Agency with distinction; he saw

up, his voice firm. "I've taken care of it. Follow

chapel, only to be greeted by a pungent smell of blood. Inside, rather than finding Hailey, they discovered a young servant on the floor, his chest a bloody mess, his

happened here?"

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

him, her voice hard.

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

the real Hailey, then

her

might still catch Abigail if

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

my heart," Vivienne realized, an eerie motive that didn't entirely make sense to

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

Her end is in a government

resolve, promised his unconditional support. This enemy, he

chapel to be cleaned, Vivienne and Percival left for the troubled Wright estate, now facing

eerie stillness of the once-grand

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

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

twitched slightly, "Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured,

remained unfazed, "What