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."

had

leave, he handed her the phone. "Draven called. There's been some activity on Declan's end.

sat up and unlocked her

the addition of several cryptic gestures she hadn't seen before. These symbols didn't seem to relate

a tray of food just as Vivienne

head. "Some of these gestures are coded. I can't decipher

thoughts, handed her a bowl of soup and said, "I'll have Thomas stick close to you from tomorrow. His current

asked, taking a

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

couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement and sympathy for Leopold, who was unaware that these gestures of goodwill were merely offhand remarks by their mentor. The reputation of Emerald Mountain hinged

to rely solely on Thomas," she suggested to Mr. Wolf. "Let Anna stick by

this for a moment then nodded. "That works. Anna, being a woman, might be more

morning, before Percival and Vivienne even left the house, Anna was already waiting

quickly approached and stood at attention.

"Are

now," Anna responded, opening the car door for

call from Mr. Wolf. "Vivienne, the Watson family has unearthed

the timing of the Watson

Anna, "Turn around. We're going to

a perfect U-turn and

family estate nearly simultaneously with another car. Matthew, who

then

Wolf, where's

gaze, sparking a silent

the car with

from beside the

roll of blueprints, jogged over from the