The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The midday sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the scattered rose petals that hadn't been cleaned up yet. Vivienne walked through, feeling a rare moment of serene beauty in the chaos.

After finishing a meal that was too late for breakfast and too early for lunch, Vivienne's phone, silent throughout the morning, finally rang.

Draven was brief. "Miss, there's movement at the Wright estate."

"Keep an eye on them," Vivienne instructed.

Percival cleared the dishes and took off his apron. "Heading to the Wrights?"

"Back to the Linklaters first," Vivienne's eyes narrowed slightly in thought.

Upon their arrival at the Linklater mansion, only Yorick was present in the grand hall.

Seeing Vivienne and Percival, Yorick's face broke into a smile. "Ah, Vivienne, Percival, come in, sit down."

"Grandfather!" they exclaimed in unison.

Yorick nodded, smiling warmly. "Your parents are out, scouting new venues for the wedding."

Vivienne cut straight to the chase. "Grandpa, that's not why I'm here today."

Yorick's expression sobered, perhaps guessing the reason. "Vivienne, I looked into what you told me, but just because she's been abroad for decades doesn't necessarily mean she's..."

Vivienne understood the dilemma; with age, familial bonds often deepen, complicating matters.

"All that matters," she said, "is whether she is or isn't the person in question, it doesn't absolve her of suspicion."

Yorick, having dedicated his life to serving the country, understood all too well.

He hesitated before speaking. "You gave your uncle a chance last time for my sake, and I won't ask you to compromise for personal reasons again, not when it concerns someone the state cannot tolerate." Vivienne waited patiently.

with distinction;

up, his voice firm. "I've taken care of it. Follow

headed to the family's ancestral chapel, only to be greeted by a pungent smell of blood. Inside, rather than finding Hailey, they discovered a young

here?" Vivienne

his sister could be a target of a national manhunt, but this act of brutality

turned to him, her

and Mr. Wolf knew of Abigail's special abilities; Yorick had been deceived by an

looking grim, declared, "We must catch her. If she isn't the real Hailey, then the real

her

scene, suggested they might still catch Abigail if they

back. "Remember what Abigail said yesterday, Mr.

after my heart," Vivienne realized, an eerie

to protect Vivienne at all costs. "She dares to harm you,

Vivienne reassured him, "she won't get far. Her end is in a government lab,

his unconditional support. This enemy,

for the chapel

and Percival

estate, now facing both internal strife and financial ruin under Matthew's

the estate, they were struck by the eerie stillness of the once-grand manor

entirely in white, greeted them. "Ms. Hawthorn, you've finally come. Please,

unsettling attire, a flicker of unease

face twitched slightly, "Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, Winston is safe now. Nothing will

gaze remained unfazed,

Please, follow me." Colin walked ahead with a casual stride, while Vivienne and Percival exchanged a glance, deciding to follow and

Draven had failed

Deep within the castle...

a hidden door, turning around to face them, "Ms. Hawthorn, the