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; he saw the

his voice firm. "I've taken care

by a pungent smell of blood. Inside, rather than finding Hailey, they discovered a

happened here?" Vivienne

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

him, her

special abilities;

grim, declared, "We must catch her. If she isn't the

nodded, her resolve

scene, suggested they might still catch Abigail if they

Vivienne held him back. "Remember what Abigail said yesterday, Mr. Wolf? This is

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

at all costs. "She dares to harm you, I'd give

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

This enemy, he declared, must not be allowed to

arranging for the chapel to

and Percival

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

by the eerie stillness of the

greeted them. "Ms. Hawthorn,

unsettling attire, a flicker of

face twitched slightly, "Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, Winston is safe

unfazed, "What have

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

had failed

Deep within the castle...

around to face