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.

goodbye to Cecilia. “Cecilia, We’ll find Percival as soon as

home. Things are unstable,” Cecilia advised

for me over there. I

then boarded the

watched the plane take off, his gaze lingering in the sky long after the aircraft had vanished. Finally, he turned away.

pressed the detonator repeatedly until the last

could not use explosives

strength that even the seasoned agents

had not eaten or slept in two days, she still had this much

up at the hospital, ignored the doctor’s advice and rushed to the scene. Seeing Vivienne’s fingers bleeding from the relentless digging, he

keep us posted on the captain’s location,” Leopold barked at

hoarse from calling into the headset, “Mr. Wolf, respond

she had almost lost her voice, yet there

the digging, the tension mounting with each

had been an hour since Percival’s last response. They couldn’t dare to imagine

the blinking red dot on the computer that signified Percival’s vital signs, shouted, “Nine

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

Leopold cursed, his frustration peaking at this last

Leopold into a coughing fit. Vivienne had kicked it open and emerged from the control room, carrying an unconscious

“Vivienne, Percival!”

“Ms. Vivienne, Captain!”

“Captain! Madam!”

of concerned voices rang out, but there was no response from

tugging at Leopold, “What do

Percival on the ground. She pulled a sterile silver needle from her

a mouthful of black blood and, with

fell silent for a few seconds, then erupted in

was awake. He