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.

appeared Abigail had been aware

everyone lowered their guard, an inconspicuous bystander glanced

prepared to counter, but

as she moved to intervene, only to see someone else had already stepped in

focused on her safety, missed protecting one of

safeguard Vivienne at all

hit by the bullet

caught Daphne, crying out, "Mom! Are you okay? Please, don't scare

signaled her team to follow the shooter as they rushed Daphne

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

head, asking,

"We've got the shooter.

sit idly by, especially not when

told Percival, "Call

shaken by the day's

minutes later, with

composed, got straight to

excitement and questions, to which Vivienne simply replied, "Come home. We need to

check on Emily but was stopped by Percival's

surgery and

had to admit, maybe Mr. Wolf had

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

motivated by a significant sum of money, but the

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