The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The chill in the air took everyone by surprise over the next few days.

Vivienne, thanks to her pregnancy, found herself succumbing to sleep more than ever, spending the majority of her day either eating or curled up in bed.

Percival, worried about leaving her alone, stayed by her side constantly.

One afternoon, while Vivienne was deep in slumber, her phone on the bedside table began to vibrate.

Seeing the caller ID, Percival picked it up and stepped outside to answer.

"Boss!" came Draven's voice through the phone.

"It's me," Percival replied with a stern voice. "Vivienne's asleep. What's the matter?"

Draven paused briefly, then quickly said, "Percival, Declan's made another move. But these symbols, only you can decipher them. We think he's trying to send a message out." Percival frowned. "Did the surveillance catch anything unusual?"

Draven's response was firm. "Nothing at all."

Percival's gaze darkened slightly. "Keep an eye on him. Report back with any suspicions. I'll inform Vivienne."

When Vivienne woke up, she turned to see Percival sitting by her side, which warmed her heart. "Mr. Wolf, what time is it?"

Percival looked at her, closing his laptop gently. "You're awake. It's seven in the evening."

Vivienne rubbed her temples. "Why do I feel like I can sleep forever?"

Percival took her hand and massaged her temples gently. "Hungry? I'll whip up something you love."

She glanced outside at the night sky and nodded. Her morning sickness had been particularly bad before she fell asleep, leaving her stomach feeling incredibly empty.

As Percival stood to leave, he handed her the phone. "Draven called. There's been some activity on Declan's end. I've forwarded the details to your phone. Take a look while I get started on dinner."

Vivienne sat

it, noting the addition of several cryptic gestures she hadn't seen before. These symbols didn't seem to relate to Abigail but rather looked like Declan paying

returned with a tray of food just as Vivienne was puzzling over the phone. "Any leads?" he

these gestures are coded. I can't

a bowl of soup and said, "I'll have Thomas stick close to you from tomorrow. His current task

Leopold?" she asked, taking a sip

running errands for the Martinez family.

for Leopold, who was unaware that

on Thomas," she suggested to Mr. Wolf. "Let Anna stick

moment then nodded. "That works. Anna, being a woman, might be more

and Vivienne even left the

Vivienne, Anna quickly approached and stood at attention. "Vivienne,

slightly. "Are you

fine now," Anna responded, opening the

Watson family has unearthed the Wright family's blueprints. I'm

eyebrow, puzzled by the timing of the Watson family's

ended the call and instructed Anna, "Turn around.

a perfect U-turn and sped off in the opposite

family estate nearly simultaneously with another

acknowledgment and then

where's

empty, met her gaze, sparking a silent question

the car

voice boomed from beside the vehicle,

blueprints, jogged over

eyebrows shot up at the sight of him. "What are you doing here, Leo? Weren't you busy picking out a gift for

a smug grin. "Guess I should thank Percival for this. One clever sentence from him, and I was out