The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

If Vivienne's memory served her right, it had been ten days since she started her regimen of remedies-a milestone that should have marked the end of her treatment. Yet, here she was, still sipping on what seemed like an endless supply of bitter concoctions. Percival handed her a glass of water with an unnervingly calm demeanor, his voice soft and comforting, "Vivienne, you forgot about the day we went to Grandpa Jack's. You missed a dose then. We're just making up for it." Vivienne could only respond with a sigh.

In exasperation, she asked, "Mr. Wolf, how much longer with this 'medicine'?"

Understanding her plight, Percival offered a reassuring smile, "Tomorrow is the last day. After that, we'll head to the hospital for a check-up to ensure everything's cleared up. We might as well see how our little peanut is developing."

Vivienne's lips twitched in amusement, "Our 'peanut' is barely two months along, probably not even the size of your pinky yet."

Percival's lips curled into a smile, his eyes gleaming, "At two months, we should be able to hear the heartbeat. Don't you want to hear our baby's heartbeat?"

That certainly caught Vivienne's attention.

Half an hour later, on their way to the Watson estate, Vivienne browsed through the information Draven had sent over about the Watsons.

Nolan Watson, the current head of the Watson family, was renowned for his expertise in both landscape architecture and as a chief engineer, particularly skilled in designing Western-style gardens. The family, once royal architects, had seen their fortunes wane over time. Now, they were recognized not for their historical significance but for their professional merits, attracting the attention of many affluent families. Interestingly, the Linklater family's estate was one of Nolan's masterpieces. This explained why Grandpa Jack had sent her with a letter to Nolan Watson.

Upon arrival, Thomas, their driver, couldn't believe his eyes-the estate's classical red gates and the surrounding wilderness seemed to transport them back in time.

Thomas had thought the Linklater estate was traditional enough, but the Watson residence, seamlessly blending into the nearby terrain, appeared utterly timeless. As beautiful as it was, it also exuded an intimidating aura.

Shaking off the feeling, Thomas informed Percival and Vivienne, "We've arrived."

After identifying themselves and presenting Yorick Linklater's handwritten letter, the butler invited them in, leaving Thomas to wait outside.

Entering the main hall, they were greeted by an elderly man dressed in a dark Western suit, emanating a sense of wisdom and longevity. Percival and Vivienne introduced themselves and quickly got to the point. "We've come to inquire about something, Mr. Watson," Percival began.

pretense of formality, nodded for them to proceed. Vivienne wasted no time, "Mr. Watson, Grandpa Jack mentioned that the Wright estate

was indeed a Watson project, but it wasn't mine. It was my brother, Derek Watson, who designed it. He

and Percival exchanged a glance before asking about Derek's

passed away many years ago. However, if it's the blueprints you're after, I'll have someone search his study. If we find

little hope for finding the blueprints, Vivienne and Percival prepared to leave but not before

"He was always frail, succumbed to his ailments, worsened by

and Percival left for their next destination-the prison, where

gravity of their visit, Thomas drove them to the

her hands with his, "Going

"Even if we don't, I'll make sure he

of the Wright family and Abigail's disappearance weren't things Declan

in there for so long, it was about time it

small,

man with silver hair sat on a chair, his

and Ephemeral spoke up, "To think you had such a deep connection with the Wrights, I might have underestimated

her grand plan to overturn the

opposite showed

- that whatever Abigail needs must be with the Wright family." A flicker of movement showed in the eyes of the person

Vivienne attacked the psychological

whether it's convincing people with the promise of

You and Abigail could

times, and it

have you considered, even if you die, what would the fate of a Wright family member be with such a grave accusation? The others, I don't