The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

That night, Vivienne was tormented by a nightmare.

In her dream, Abigail was desperately trying to kill her, but Mr. Wolf, in a heroic act, took the fatal blow for her and collapsed right in front of her eyes. Vivienne, frantic, tried everything to bring Mr. Wolf back, but he wouldn't wake up.

The scene felt so real that Vivienne's heart ached unbearably, as if she couldn't breathe.

She tried to scream for help, but no sound came out.

Waking up, Vivienne felt a tightness in her chest, the suffocating pain was just like in her dream, too real to ignore.

She clutched at her chest, speechless.

Percival, sensing something was wrong with her, immediately turned on the light and saw Vivienne's pale face.

"Vivienne!"

He quickly picked her up and gently patted her back. After a few minutes, Vivienne managed to catch her breath.

"Mr. Wolf, I'm okay now, it was just a dream."

Percival got up, fetched her a glass of water, and wiped the cold sweat off her face. "Why on earth would you have such a nightmare? You must be overthinking something." Vivienne, having caught her breath, shook her head.

Since coming down from the mountains, she occasionally dreamt of her childhood with her mother, but never experienced anything like this.

This pain that extended from her dream into reality was definitely not normal.

Percival, his brow furrowed with lingering fear, was about to step outside. "I'll call the doctor, have her come over."

Vivienne stopped him, "Mr. Wolf, it's the middle of the night, she's probably asleep."

Percival frowned, "Then I'll call Finnian to have a look at you."

Vivienne sighed, "The doctor has really gone back to Emerald Mountain..."

Percival paused, trying to think of someone else who could help.

Vivienne sighed softly at him, "Mr. Wolf, come hold me, you pacing around is making me dizzy."

Percival approached, his body tense, and hugged her tightly, "I'll take you to the hospital."

uniquely Percival's calmed Vivienne down, "It was just a nightmare, I'll feel better after

Vivienne fell asleep in

the whole night, holding her until

got ready, waiting for Vivienne to

until almost noon. Opening her eyes,

"Mr. Wolf, what are

helped her up, "Get up, we're going to the hospital for a

Vivienne, puzzled, "What check-up?"

"I'm not at ease

something wrong, I would know. There's no need to go to the hospital." Percival insisted, "Doctors don't treat themselves, you of all people should know

dissuade him, Vivienne let herself be

the check-up, Percival went to the office

a bench to eat, missing Mr. Wolf's homemade

phone rang-it

from the Hawthorn family did inquire recently." "Who was

Field. He and the person you're investigating, Delilah, were married but divorced three years ago. He was following Delilah's trail to the Brooks family." Vivienne took a bite of her sandwich, "And the

the Brooks family moved to Rivenwood, she

on this Chris person,

now, Delilah didn't seem to be

Later, Vivienne called Leopold.

barely awake, mumbled into the phone, "Hey, Vivienne, what's up

"The Brooks family has a child in need of emotional guidance. Go there, and

thinking he was still dreaming, replied, "Vivienne, are you sure you dialed the right number? I'm Leopold, not Thomas..."

you. If you're not

hitting his leg in the

Vivienne asked, calm as

was on the verge of tears, "Vivienne, did you forget I'm injured? My leg can't even protect me, let alone

"Seems like you forgot how Master ended up with

words fell, silence swept over the line with Leopold as if he hit the mute button. You could

noticed Percival looking at her, anxiety written all over his face, his grip on the paper nearly crumpling it. Setting aside her glass of milk, Vivienne stood up and reached for Percival's hand, "Mr. Wolf, what's got you looking so pale?" Feeling Vivienne's warmth, Percival, startled, grabbed

"Huh?"

couldn't help but notice Percival's hands

her inner energy throughout her body not

Everything seemed fine.

then was Mr. Wolf looking