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

some activity on Declan's end. I've forwarded the details to your phone. Take a look while I get started

sat up

it, noting the addition of several cryptic gestures she hadn't

of food just as Vivienne was puzzling over the phone. "Any leads?"

of these gestures are coded.

"I'll have Thomas stick close to you from tomorrow. His current task

Leopold?" she asked, taking a

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

their mentor. She couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement and sympathy for Leopold, who was unaware that these

to rely solely on Thomas," she

"That works. Anna, being a woman, might

Percival and Vivienne even left the

Vivienne, Anna quickly approached and stood at attention. "Vivienne,

slightly. "Are you feeling

now," Anna responded, opening the car door

has unearthed the Wright

eyebrow, puzzled by the

Anna, "Turn

a perfect U-turn and sped off in the opposite

hour later, they arrived at the Wright family estate nearly simultaneously with another car. Matthew,

and then turned to see

Wolf, where's the

gaze, sparking a silent question

toward the car with a

loud voice boomed from beside

clutching a roll of blueprints, jogged over from the driver's