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."

life to serving

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

Vanguard Agency with distinction;

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

to the family's ancestral chapel, only to be greeted by a pungent smell of blood. Inside, rather than finding Hailey, they discovered a young servant

happened here?" Vivienne

his sister could be a target of a national manhunt,

turned to him, her voice hard. "Hailey is

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

the real

her

might still catch Abigail

Abigail said yesterday, Mr.

after my heart," Vivienne realized, an eerie motive that

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

Vivienne reassured him, "she won't get far. Her end is in

resolve, promised his unconditional support. This

Vivienne and Percival left for the troubled Wright estate,

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

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

attire, a flicker of unease passing through her. "Where's

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

gaze remained unfazed, "What