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."

having dedicated his life to serving

for my sake, and I won't ask you to

had led the Vanguard Agency with distinction;

firm. "I've taken care

than finding Hailey, they discovered a young servant on the floor, his chest a

here?" Vivienne

darkened. He'd refused to believe his sister could be a target of a national manhunt, but this act of

him, her voice

of Abigail's special abilities;

the real Hailey, then the real one must have

her resolve

the scene, suggested they might still catch Abigail if they moved

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

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

costs. "She dares to harm you,

him, "she won't get far. Her end

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

left for the troubled Wright estate, now facing both internal strife

by the eerie stillness of

them. "Ms. Hawthorn, you've

flicker of

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

remained unfazed, "What have