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

inconspicuous bystander glanced their way,

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

to intervene, only to see someone

solely focused on her safety, missed protecting one of their

safeguard Vivienne

hit by the

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

shooter as they

She carefully extracted the bullet from her shoulder, noting a

head,

"We've got the shooter. She insisted

Vivienne understood she wouldn't just sit idly by, especially not when someone she loved was

gown, told Percival, "Call my folks, I've got

by the day's

through minutes later, with Sasha's voice

composed, got straight to

replied, "Come home. We need to talk." Hanging up, Vivienne pondered the complexities of the

hospital, with Percival ensuring Daphne's safety, Vivienne decided to check on Emily but was

two-hour surgery and you

to admit, maybe Mr. Wolf had

rest, Vivienne stayed updated over the phone. Thomas, on the other

significant sum

plot with no