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.

had been aware

glanced their way,

a subtle raise of her eyebrow, Vivienne prepared to counter, but the gunman shifted

to see someone else had already stepped in

Vivienne's elite guards, who were solely focused on her safety, missed

was singular: safeguard Vivienne at

hit by the bullet and collapsed

"Mom! Are you okay? Please, don't

to follow the shooter as they rushed Daphne

extracted the bullet from her shoulder, noting a small butterfly tattoo

head, asking,

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

she wouldn't just sit idly by,

her surgical gown, told Percival, "Call my folks, I've got questions for

shaken by the day's events, hesitated

minutes later, with Sasha's voice coming through, "Missing

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

news sent Sasha into a flurry of excitement and questions, to which Vivienne simply replied, "Come home. We need to talk." Hanging up, Vivienne pondered the complexities of

safety, Vivienne decided to check

a two-hour surgery and you say you're

had to admit, maybe Mr. Wolf had a

the phone. Thomas, on the other

been motivated by a significant sum

about the specifics revealed a complex plot with no clear answers,