The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 923

Chapter 923

Sasha leaned on her hand with a smirk, grasping a first aid kit in the other, diligently applying ointment to Vivienne's bruised cheek.

Vivienne's lips, a shade of crimson, curled slightly. "This jacket of mine is barely holding together, might as well let him throw in the towel."

Sasha's brows knitted slightly at the comment, pressing a bit harder with the ointment. Vivienne hissed, "Geez, tough love! Got a husband and forgot your daughter, huh?"

"Zip it, or my hand might 'accidentally' slip, making you yelp in pain," Sasha retorted, pinching Vivienne's chin.

The banter went back and forth between the mother and daughter, with Vivienne occasionally dropping hints about her latest findings.

"Just the other day, I mentioned that case where the woman's heart was harvested. It wasn't an isolated incident; there have been disappearances elsewhere too. Yesterday, Mr. Wolf and I tracked a lead to a small town, and if I'm not mistaken, that place is swarming with snipers."

"What's odd, though, is that when Mr. Wolf and I entered, nobody took a shot at us. Logically, they should've taken us out on sight."

Sasha furrowed her brows, her tone grave, "You and Percival might be carrying something they need."

Vivienne seemed to agree with that theory. But what could it be that they needed?

Shifting gears, Vivienne dipped her finger in a glass of water, sketching symbols she recalled seeing in the town on the dining table.

Each symbol appeared simple yet was difficult to replicate accurately. She managed to draw them roughly on the table.

"Yesterday, during my visit to the town, I stumbled upon these symbols. Mom, do you recognize any of them?"

shadow of recognition crossing her features. "I think I've seen these symbols in a book before, but not from

deep into it at the time. It might take a while to dig that

"Thanks, Mom. I want to get to the bottom of this. It could help us

a next move?" Arthur chimed in, entering

gaze shifting

proudly placed the breakfast he prepared in front of Vivienne and Sasha. One plate bore thick slices of American toast topped with fried eggs and a generous squirt of ketchup, with Arthur drawing two

a bite. Truth be told, she wasn't much for Western breakfasts, having a

for any sign of approval. Vivienne ate quietly,

himself, Arthur asked, "How's the taste,

gaze urged Vivienne

for traditional meals." Arthur's heart leapt

his

kitchen experiments, none of

Disheartened by the missed

he saw

starting on the second slice, her expression changing slightly at the

a strawberry cheesecake, albeit a simplified version. Vivienne separated the strawberry design with her fork,

with his attempt at a traditional breakfast and a jug of homemade

food skeptically, poking at a charred mass with her

muttering, "It

sympathy and pride, patting him on the back. "You're just starting out. Keep practicing, and maybe get some tips from the chef. You'll get there!" As Sasha pushed a piece onto Vivienne's plate with a triumphant grin, implying there was no escaping this meal, Vivienne reluctantly took a sip of the soy milk, grimacing at its gritty

hasn't been strained properly. And as for this 'great task',

dad made this especially for you. You have

the better of her, Vivienne inquired, "So