The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At that moment, Nathan and Cecilia returned home with Isolde, who was just back from school.

“We were picking up Isolde when a car crash happened right outside the daycare. In the chaos, some thug tried to snatch her. If it weren’t for the bodyguard Flynn arranged for us, they might have taken our baby girl.”

Cecilia was pale, sitting on the couch, still visibly shaken from the ordeal.

Isolde did not speak; she was nestled in Nathan’s arms, her tear-streaked face buried in his chest.

Flynn’s heart skipped a beat. “Nobody got hurt, right?”

Nathan shook his head. “No, thanks to the bodyguard you arranged. But Isolde’s been scared out of her wits. The bracelet she cherished was snatched, and they nearly took her too.”

“Something’s not right,” Flynn said, standing up and pacing the living room. “They were undoubtedly targeting Isolde!”

Isolde flinched at his words, and Cecilia gasped, “Flynn, what are you saying?”

“With Percival and Vivienne still missing, and considering recent events…” Flynn pressed his lips, then turned to Richard. “Dad, I think you should go abroad with them. I’ll let you know once I have news about Percival and Vivienne.”

Richard frowned deeply, considering Flynn’s words.

Nathan comforted his daughter briefly before saying, “Flynn, you’re suggesting we lay low overseas?”

Flynn nodded. “Yes. Our family has been through one crisis after another. I won’t have peace of mind until you’re all safe. You take Dad and Isolde and go. I’ll sort things out here with the company and then join you with Imogen and Kenneth. Meanwhile, I’ll keep looking for Percival and Vivienne.”

After a moment’s thought, Flynn asked, “Dad, what do you think?”

Richard was silent for a few seconds before saying firmly, “We’ll do as Flynn suggests.”

“I’ll get someone to book your flights right now. You’ll leave tonight,” Flynn said, immediately taking out his phone to instruct his secretary.

The tickets were swiftly booked, and the family packed only the essentials before hurrying to the airport.

“Cecilia, We’ll find Percival as

careful back home. Things are unstable,” Cecilia advised with worry in her

helped Richard straighten his suit jacket. “Dad, wait for me over there. I

boarded the plane with

take off, his gaze lingering in the sky long after the aircraft had vanished.

the detonator repeatedly until the last 10 feet of the mine finally blew

could

and started digging with such furious strength that even the seasoned agents

captain’s wife had not eaten or slept in two days, she

who had been bandaged up at the hospital, ignored the doctor’s advice and rushed to the scene. Seeing Vivienne’s fingers bleeding from the relentless digging, he felt a profound respect for her. She was not just infatuated with Percival’s looks;

monitor the map and keep us posted on the captain’s location,” Leopold barked at Soren, pushing

calling into the headset, “Mr. Wolf, respond to me!” But there was no reply from

profusely, and she had almost lost

joined the digging, the tension

an hour since Percival’s last response. They couldn’t dare to imagine what could happen

that signified Percival’s vital signs, shouted, “Nine o’clock direction,

they were met with a new challenge. The door to the commanding

now?” Leopold cursed, his frustration

fit. Vivienne had kicked it open and emerged from the

“Vivienne, Percival!”

“Ms. Vivienne, Captain!”

“Captain! Madam!”

of concerned voices rang out, but there was

was near tears, tugging

needle from

out a mouthful of black

few seconds, then erupted in

awake. He