The Million-Dollar Heart

The chill in the air took everyone by surprise over the next few days.

Vivienne, thanks to her pregnancy, found herself succumbing to sleep more than ever, spending the majority of her day either eating or curled up in bed.

Percival, worried about leaving her alone, stayed by her side constantly.

One afternoon, while Vivienne was deep in slumber, her phone on the bedside table began to vibrate.

Seeing the caller ID, Percival picked it up and stepped outside to answer.

"Boss!" came Draven's voice through the phone.

"It's me," Percival replied with a stern voice. "Vivienne's asleep. What's the matter?"

Draven paused briefly, then quickly said, "Percival, Declan's made another move. But these symbols, only you can decipher them. We think he's trying to send a message out." Percival frowned. "Did the surveillance catch anything unusual?"

Draven's response was firm. "Nothing at all."

Percival's gaze darkened slightly. "Keep an eye on him. Report back with any suspicions. I'll inform Vivienne."

When Vivienne woke up, she turned to see Percival sitting by her side, which warmed her heart. "Mr. Wolf, what time is it?"

Percival looked at her, closing his laptop gently. "You're awake. It's seven in the evening."

Vivienne rubbed her temples. "Why do I feel like I can sleep forever?"

Percival took her hand and massaged her temples gently. "Hungry? I'll whip up something you love."

outside at the night sky and nodded. Her morning sickness had been particularly bad before she fell asleep, leaving her stomach

handed her the phone. "Draven called. There's been some activity on Declan's end. I've forwarded the details to your phone. Take

Percival left, Vivienne sat up and unlocked her

was already two hours old, containing a surveillance video. She watched it, noting the addition of several cryptic gestures she hadn't seen before.

of food just as Vivienne was puzzling over the phone.

head. "Some of these

bowl of soup and said, "I'll have Thomas stick close to you from tomorrow. His current task is nearly

about Leopold?" she asked, taking

errands for the Martinez family. He'll be tied up for a day

of amusement and sympathy for Leopold, who was unaware that these gestures of goodwill were merely offhand remarks by their mentor. The

we don't need to rely solely on Thomas," she

then nodded. "That works. Anna, being a woman, might

next morning, before Percival and Vivienne even left the house, Anna

Anna quickly approached and stood

"Are you

Anna responded, opening the car

received a call from Mr. Wolf. "Vivienne, the Watson family has unearthed the Wright family's blueprints. I'm heading there now. Let's meet

eyebrow, puzzled by the timing of

call and instructed Anna, "Turn

a perfect U-turn and sped off in the

Wright family estate nearly simultaneously with another car.

and then turned to see Percival

where's

her gaze,

car with a hint of

loud voice boomed from beside

blueprints, jogged over from the