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.

not even a fly

with Cecilia and Vivienne, then joined

to ponder the audacity of leaving a knife

to have offended anyone. The

good on your end?” Richard

“Yeah,” Percival responded.

a corporate rival?” Flynn

giving back someone, and the Ellington family haven’t taken anyone. It seems someone’s got

tapped the floor with his cane, signaling his point to

anyone was stirring up trouble, it was

meddled in Percival’s affairs, Richard was aware that his

a knife was planted at the Ellington

expected the danger

“Don’t worry,

Richard pressed no further.

…

in the

stained Imogen’s cheeks. The shock

was not surprising, though. Anyone who wakes to find a knife looming over

naturally timid as Imogen, it was

a hand on Imogen’s shoulder. Imogen flinched, then quickly apologized,

Let me help you

her waterfall-like hair to one side, allowing Vivienne

eased Imogen’s fear, who

her gaze lingering on Imogen’s glossy hair. “Your

of it for me. I don’t cut it much. After every wash, he applies conditioner and shows me how to blow-dry

much. Isolde says you’re always brushing it. It’s taken care of so well that you don’t lose

her hair, “but the frequent brushing makes it less noticeable.” She then turned to Vivienne, concern returning to her

just a prank,” Vivienne reassured Imogen with a smile, then caught sight

tattoo? I got it while abroad. Flynn chose the design. Though the tiger is a bit intimidating, I

studied the tattoo

identical to the one