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 could sneak in

Flynn left her with Cecilia and Vivienne, then joined Percival and

needed to ponder the audacity of leaving a knife by someone’s

and was unlikely to have offended anyone. The culprit had to be one of the

good on your end?” Richard

“Yeah,” Percival responded.

a

someone, and the Ellington family haven’t taken anyone. It

tapped the floor with his cane, signaling

knew all too well that if anyone was stirring up trouble,

he never meddled in Percival’s affairs, Richard was aware that his grandson was involved in perilously high-stakes business not meant for the

Ellington Mansion, Richard already discovered

expected the danger

“Don’t

Richard pressed no further.

…

the living

cheeks. The shock had hit her

who wakes to find

naturally timid as Imogen, it was all the

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

Let me help

hair to one side, allowing Vivienne to ease the tension in her

who said with

on Imogen’s glossy hair. “Your hair is really

cut it much. After every

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

the frequent brushing 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? Could Percival have unknowingly crossed someone, and now

prank,” Vivienne reassured Imogen with a smile, then

it while abroad. Flynn chose the design.

the tattoo

the one she had seen