The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival’s face darkened.

Vivienne picked up the note, her icy eyes narrowing slightly. “Where did you find this?”

With a sigh, Flynn replied, “When I woke up this morning, it was on my nightstand. Imogen and I saw it straight away.”

Cecilia was visibly shaken. “Our security system is state-of-the-art. There were no signs of a break-in last night. How could someone have slipped a knife under our noses? It’s absolutely terrifying.”

After a pause, Cecilia shot a hesitant glance at Imogen. “I don’t mean anything by it. I’m just curious… Any chance your ex might be lurking around Rivenwood?”

Imogen dabbed at her eyes. “Cecilia, Flynn was my first love. I never had a boyfriend before him, and few guys were interested in me. Even if there were, they’re all abroad now. I have no clue what this note means.”

Flynn pulled Imogen into his arms, soothing her with gentle strokes on her back. “I know it’s not you. Stop crying.”

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Cecilia offered her a tissue, joining Flynn in comforting her.

Vivienne handed the note to Percival.

They all knew that this note was asking for Belle.

Clearly, someone was getting impatient.

Belle, undoubtedly, was harboring secrets.

For some time now, Vivienne had kept Belle hidden in a place no one would suspect without pressing her for information.

After all, she already knew what she needed to know. Except for the information about the boss of GTO!

But Vivienne was in no rush. The guy would slip up when the time was right.

“I’ll handle this,” Percival said, tucking the note away and giving Isolde, who was still in his arms, a reassuring hug. The child’s face had turned pale with fear.

Percival upgraded the Ellington family’s security to the highest level, changed all the locks, and reinforced the windows and all other potential entry points.

a fly

Cecilia and Vivienne, then

to ponder the audacity of

and was unlikely to have offended anyone. The culprit

all good on your

“Yeah,” Percival responded.

it be a corporate

someone, and the Ellington family haven’t taken anyone. It seems someone’s got their sights on our family. Stay vigilant, especially you,

with his cane, signaling his

that if anyone

affairs, Richard was aware that his grandson was involved in perilously high-stakes business not meant for the

the Ellington Mansion, Richard already

expected the danger to invade

“Don’t

Richard pressed no further.

…

in the living

Imogen’s cheeks. The shock had hit

wakes to find a knife looming over

timid as Imogen, it

Imogen’s shoulder. Imogen flinched, then

okay. Let me help you relax,” Vivienne said,

nodded, gathering her waterfall-like hair to one side, allowing Vivienne to

eased Imogen’s fear, who said with

Imogen’s glossy hair. “Your hair is

don’t cut it much. After every wash, he applies conditioner and shows me

Cecilia chuckled and said, “No wonder you cherish your hair so much. Isolde says you’re always brushing it.

makes it less noticeable.” She then turned to Vivienne, concern returning to her features. “About that knife… It doesn’t mean anything serious, does it?

prank,” Vivienne reassured Imogen with a smile, then

Flynn chose the design. Though the tiger is a

studied the

the one