The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne's eyes narrowed in concern as she rushed forward to catch Mr. Wolf before he could fall to the ground. After checking his pulse for a few seconds, her expression finally relaxed. Thomas, standing nearby, was too shocked to speak. After all these years, he had never seen Percival in such a weakened state. He worriedly murmured, "Madam, is Percival...?" Vivienne glanced at him, "What are you thinking? He's just drained from overexerting his energy. Go and get him admitted; Mr. Wolf needs an IV."

Thomas, momentarily stunned, quickly helped Percival to a chair before dashing off towards the reception.

But he had only taken a few steps when he paused, realizing something was amiss.

Weren't the lady's homemade remedies supposed to bolster one's health?

Then why did Percival need an IV?

In the private hospital room, Vivienne watched over Mr. Wolf, now hooked up to an IV, and made a phone call.

On the other end, Draven's voice was steady, "I've been keeping watch as you requested."

Vivienne acknowledged with a hum, "And? Any changes?"

Draven reported, "No reactions, not even when there was a strange light in the southeast sky. No indications on the equipment either."

Vivienne, shifting the topic, asked, "What about the Wright family? Any findings?"

Draven replied, "Indeed, we found something, but not a person. Matthew used equipment to scan a specific area on the Wright estate and found a considerable amount of gold and antiques. Most notably, there were pieces of jewelry, each worth millions, but none seemed to have been excavated recently; they appear to have been preserved from an earlier era, in excellent condition."

Vivienne frowned, "Compared to what?"

Draven was quick to answer, "The National Museum."

After a moment of thought, Vivienne decided, "Don't touch those items. Have someone guard them until experts can take over. Whoever they belong to should have them back. Keep an eye on the Wright family." This must be what Colin Wright was referring to.

But if this was the extent of Abigail's hidden treasures within the Wright estate, it was underestimating her. Having weaved through the intricate web of ancient warrior families for years, mere wealth was no longer her focus. The real cornerstone she wouldn't dare part with until the very end was still out there.

Without uncovering it, the demise of one Abigail wouldn't ensure the absence of another. Human greed knows no bounds; only by cutting this root could matters be thoroughly resolved.

After hanging up, Vivienne checked on Mr. Wolf's condition.

he grabbed her hand with a strength that

unwilling to let her go even in

beside him and catch some sleep herself. After a day of

Mr. Wolf, but Vivienne quickly fell

she awoke, the human-sized pillow beside her was gone, replaced by a fluffy teddy bear. She wondered

was already dark outside. Before she could check

"Awake?"

as he flipped the light switch

recognized a strawberry cheesecake. With a sleepy smile, she remarked,

nodded, washing his hands before unpacking the food containers, "Vivienne, eat something

knowing his habits,

for the food, she checked her phone and found messages from Leopold, Dorian, and her mentor, but

the bottom, she called Dorian and her mentor first,

genuinely alarmed, his voice cracking as he spoke, "Vivienne, are you

Percival handed her, Vivienne reassured him in her usual tone, "Dorian, I'm fine. Just needed some sleep. How's

have been through a shock while Abigail impersonated her, Vivienne

to hear you're okay. Cordelia's fine, just worried about you. She was a bit shaken up earlier but she's slept after taking some medication." Thinking of Delilah's situation, Vivienne

advising

up, Vivienne dialed Finnian's

speak, Dawson's voice came through, "Vivienne? Is

by Dawson's voice, booming through the phone,

Vivienne, "..."

to

QUMS

the phone switched to old man Larry, "Vivienne, are you alright? Didn't hurt yourself, did you? You have no idea how worried we were. I

phone away from

should've known better than to call when all those

old man had vanished without a trace; it seemed like no

she hung up, Dawson, who had just grabbed the phone back, couldn't hide his grin,