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."

serving the country,

sake, and I won't ask you to

had led the Vanguard Agency with distinction;

up, his voice firm.

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

happened here?"

of a national

her voice hard. "Hailey

Wolf knew of Abigail's special abilities;

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

her resolve

scene, suggested they might still catch

"Remember what Abigail said yesterday, Mr. Wolf?

after my heart," Vivienne realized, an eerie

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

won't get far. Her end is in a government lab,

This enemy,

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

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

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

a flicker of unease passing through her.

pale face twitched slightly, "Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, Winston is safe now. Nothing will happen to

gaze remained unfazed, "What