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, understood all

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

Vanguard Agency with distinction; he saw the

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

by a pungent smell of blood. Inside, rather than finding Hailey,

here?"

be a target of a national manhunt, but this act

him, her

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

the real Hailey, then

her

the scene, suggested they might still catch Abigail if they

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

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

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

"she won't get far. Her end is in

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

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

the eerie stillness of the once-grand

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

flicker of unease passing

"Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, Winston is safe

unfazed, "What have