The Million-Dollar Heart

Halfway through dinner, Daphne took the initiative, lifting her wine glass in a toast to Vivienne. "Viv, this one's for you, on behalf of my precious Emily. If it hadn't been for you taking her away from that godforsaken place of Havenwood and mentoring her, I can't begin to

imagine what could have become of her."

"Now, seeing her thriving by your side, I reckon it's the universe doing us a solid."

Perhaps memories of her own past trials made her emotional, as Daphne's eyes briefly welled up.

Vivienne stood up, her response heartfelt, "You're giving me too much credit. Emily's success at Vanguard Agency is all her own doing. All I did was recognize her potential."

Then, replacing her wine with a glass of water nearby, she added, "Been battling a bit of a cold, hope you don't mind my switching to water."

Daphne nodded in understanding, letting her be at ease, as she herself downed the wine.

The dinner went smoothly, wrapping up in a warm atmosphere. Vivienne offered Daphne a ride home.

As they left the restaurant, a sudden chill of danger washed over them. Across the street, a group of menacing figures in black, armed and heading straight for them, appeared out of nowhere.

"Viv, watch out!" Emily was the first to react, instinctively stepping in front of Vivienne.

Before Emily could act, a dozen elite guards materialized around Vivienne, swiftly encircling the attackers.

The confrontation was quickly contained, with Vivienne's gaze turning icy.

These were operatives of Mr. Wolf, a last resort not deployed lightly.

Abigail had been aware of

guard, an inconspicuous bystander glanced their way, a gun blatantly

prepared to counter,

to see

focused

singular: safeguard

was hit by the

crying out, "Mom! Are

team to follow the shooter

noting a small butterfly tattoo with an existing scar. After the surgery, Percival approached, gripping

shook her head,

replied with concern, "We've got the shooter. She insisted on interrogating him

temperament, Vivienne understood she wouldn't just sit idly by, especially not

Percival, "Call my folks,

still shaken by the day's events, hesitated but

went through minutes later, with Sasha's voice

ever composed, got straight to the point, "Mom, Daphne's

questions, to which Vivienne simply replied, "Come home. We need to talk." Hanging up, Vivienne pondered the

the hospital, with Percival ensuring Daphne's safety, Vivienne decided to check on Emily but was stopped by Percival's insistence on her needing

through a two-hour surgery and

maybe Mr. Wolf had a

Thomas, on the other end, informed her of Emily's relentless interrogation of the

motivated by a significant sum of money, but the details

specifics revealed a complex plot with no clear answers, leaving