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."

his life to serving

speaking. "You gave your uncle a chance last time for my sake, and I won't ask you to compromise for

Vanguard Agency with distinction; he saw the

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

than

happened here?" Vivienne

a target of a national manhunt, but

to him, her voice hard. "Hailey

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

isn't the real Hailey, then the real one must

nodded, her

suggested they might still catch Abigail if they moved

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

Vivienne realized, an eerie motive that didn't

to protect Vivienne at all costs. "She dares to harm you, I'd

end is in a government lab, she

moved by guilt and resolve, promised his unconditional support. This enemy, he declared, must not

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

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

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

unsettling attire, a flicker of unease passing through her.

assured, Winston is safe now. Nothing

remained unfazed, "What have