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

"You gave your uncle a chance last time for my sake, and I won't ask you to compromise for personal reasons again, not when it

Vanguard Agency with distinction; he saw the bigger picture clearer

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

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

happened here?" Vivienne

his sister could be a target of a national

to him, her voice hard. "Hailey

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

declared, "We must catch her. If she isn't the real Hailey, then the real one must have fallen by

her

they might still catch Abigail if

what Abigail said yesterday, Mr. Wolf? This is

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

protect Vivienne at all costs. "She dares to harm

Her end is in a

promised his unconditional support. This enemy, he declared, must not be allowed to cause further

left for the troubled Wright

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

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

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

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

remained unfazed, "What