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.

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

Things are unstable,”

for me over there. I promise

nodded silently, then boarded the plane with

sky long after the aircraft had vanished. Finally, he turned away.

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

could not use

and started digging with such furious strength that even the seasoned

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

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

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

into the headset, “Mr.

and she had almost lost her voice, yet there was no

the tension mounting with each

response. They couldn’t dare to imagine what could happen if they could not find Percival

computer that signified Percival’s vital signs, shouted, “Nine

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

cursed, his frustration peaking at this last

Vivienne had kicked it open and emerged from the

“Vivienne, Percival!”

“Ms. Vivienne, Captain!”

“Captain! Madam!”

but there was no response from Percival, who lay motionless on

near tears, tugging

from her pocket and quickly inserted

a mouthful of black blood and, with it,

a few seconds,

awake. He was