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.

the Vanguard Agency with distinction; he saw

up, his voice firm. "I've

smell of blood. Inside, rather than finding Hailey, they discovered a young servant on the floor, his chest a bloody

happened here?"

refused to believe his sister could be a target of a national manhunt, but this act

turned to him, her voice hard. "Hailey is

of Abigail's special

her. If she isn't the real Hailey, then the real one must have

her

they might

Abigail said yesterday, Mr. Wolf? This is her

expression darkened. "She's after my heart," Vivienne realized, an eerie motive that didn't entirely make

to protect Vivienne at all costs. "She dares to

"she won't get far. Her end is in a

support. This enemy, he declared,

arranging for the chapel

Vivienne and Percival

the troubled Wright estate, now facing both internal strife and financial

struck by the eerie stillness of the once-grand manor under the

clad entirely in white, greeted them. "Ms. Hawthorn,

eyed Colin's unsettling attire, a flicker of unease passing through her. "Where's

slightly, "Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, Winston is safe now. Nothing will happen to

gaze remained unfazed, "What have you

hand in an inviting motion, "Winston owes me a favor, and I haven't forgotten. Please, follow me." Colin walked ahead with a casual stride, while Vivienne and Percival exchanged

failed to unearth Colin's

Deep within the castle...

around to face them, "Ms. Hawthorn, the person you're looking