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.

tearfully saying goodbye to Cecilia. “Cecilia, We’ll find Percival as soon as we can. Don’t

unstable,” Cecilia advised

suit jacket. “Dad, wait for me over

silently, then boarded the

gaze lingering in the sky long after the aircraft had vanished. Finally,

Weststart City, Griffin pressed the detonator repeatedly until the last 10 feet of the mine finally

point, they could not use explosives

seized Leopold’s shovel and started digging with such furious strength that even the seasoned

could not believe that although their captain’s wife had not eaten or slept in two

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; her love

posted on the captain’s location,” Leopold

from calling into the headset, “Mr. Wolf,

lost her voice, yet there was

and Griffin joined the digging, the tension mounting with each

last response. They couldn’t dare to imagine what could happen

on the computer that signified Percival’s

a new

cursed, his frustration peaking

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

“Vivienne, Percival!”

“Ms. Vivienne, Captain!”

“Captain! Madam!”

chorus of concerned voices rang out, but there was no response from Percival, who lay motionless

near tears, tugging

medic over, but Vivienne silently laid Percival on the ground. She pulled a sterile silver needle from her pocket and quickly

of black blood and, with it, a breath

for a few seconds, then erupted in

was awake.