The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival presented his ID to the guard, who scanned it and did a visible double-take. A newfound respect tinged with puzzlement washed over his face as he looked up at Percival again.

“Deputy Director, please come inside.” The guard swung the wrought-iron gate open, watching as Percival strode through.

Vivienne glanced back, slightly taken aback that even the gatekeeper seemed deeply enmeshed with the Vanguard Agency.

And more so, he recognized Percival’s rank.

Once inside the estate, it was a further ten-minute drive before Percival parked the car.

Stepping out alongside Percival, Vivienne was met with two individuals approaching, each holding a sleek, black satchel that housed the latest model of detection devices – the one Griffin had invented.

These devices had not even hit the market yet, and here, the Linklater security team each had one in hand.

“Apologies, but we’ll need to collect all electronic devices, including cell phones and cameras.”

Percival nonchalantly tossed his phone, wallet, and even his wristwatch into one of the satchels.

Spreading his arms, he allowed the security personnel to sweep their detectors over him.

Vivienne followed suit, her watch joining Percival’s belongings in the bag.

After the check, Percival took Vivienne’s hand, and, led by one of the guards, they finally entered the main hall of the Linklater estate.

Navigating through the corridors, Vivienne glimpsed a grand staircase leading up to the Linklaters’ living quarters.

She sighed silently.

The security measures were nearly as stringent as airport checks, minus the conveyor belt and x-ray machine.

Percival squeezed her hand and whispered, audible only to the two of them, “Yorick’s got his rules, but he’s nice. No need to worry. Not the boogeyman type.”

Vivienne chuckled, “Good to hear he’s not the boogeyman, or we’d be surrounded by them.”

a shared smile, they continued into the

person who came out to greet them was

“Vivienne, it’s you two.”

It was Diana.

Diana with surprise, not

father’s goddaughter, Vivienne Hawthorn, and her fiancé, Percival Ellington. Vivienne, Dracon Linklater and I were college buddies. We’re here

were loaded with

College buddies, especially mentioned.

for Diana to forge a bond with the

also apparent that Jasper and Yorick were old

forward, shaking Percival’s hand. “You must be Percival

sensing, perhaps mistakenly,

should at least acknowledge her presence, yet he bypassed her

could not help but inwardly sigh at

to see Yorick today, and I apologize for any inconvenience. Is he

Percival genuinely respected Yorick and, by extension, treated his family

but it’s not a good time. My father’s not

with concern.

issues flaring up. He’s not been well since a cold he caught a few days back,” Dracon replied, leading

not speak, their

the doctors say about Yorick’s illness?”

that my father might be bedridden from here on out. The injuries from

on Percival’s face was as palpable as when

involved, but seeing Percival’s distress, she was willing to offer her help

Linklater, I have some medical knowledge. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to have a look at Yorick. Maybe I can

her surprise, Dracon’s gaze hardened as he surveyed her, “You? Specter

up for Percival’s sake, but Dracon’s response

were not so esteemed by Percival and Karen, she would not have offered help even if he were

her eyes narrowing, a

then, she hesitated. Dracon had

never formally introduced herself to the Linklaters, but somehow, Dracon had already pegged

that her title must’ve come up in conversation more than