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.”

they continued into

who came out to greet them was

“Vivienne, it’s you two.”

It was Diana.

with surprise, not

father’s goddaughter, Vivienne Hawthorn, and her fiancé, Percival Ellington. Vivienne, Dracon

were loaded with

College buddies, especially mentioned.

Diana to forge a bond with

Jasper and Yorick

shaking Percival’s hand. “You must be Percival

mistakenly, that Dracon was deliberately overlooking

courtesy dictated that Dracon should at least acknowledge her

inwardly sigh at

to see Yorick today, and I apologize for any inconvenience. Is he available?” Percival’s

clear that Percival genuinely respected Yorick and, by extension, treated his family with

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

brows furrowed with concern. “What’s

issues flaring up. He’s not been well since a cold he caught a few days back,” Dracon replied, leading Percival towards the parlor, never

followed Dracon closely, and though they did not speak, their

the doctors say about Yorick’s illness?”

shook his head. “They didn’t say much, but the implication is that my father might be bedridden from here on out. The injuries from his youth

face was as palpable as when Richard fell

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

okay with you, I’d like to have a look at Yorick.

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

Percival’s sake,

she would not have offered help even

to Dracon, her eyes narrowing, a chill emanating

Dracon had called

introduced herself to the Linklaters, but

glance at Diana, realizing that her title must’ve come up in conversation