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."

sat up

Draven was already two hours old, containing a surveillance video. She watched it, noting the addition of several cryptic gestures she hadn't seen before. These symbols didn't

food just as Vivienne was puzzling over the phone.

"Some of these gestures are

thoughts, handed her a bowl of soup and said, "I'll have Thomas stick

taking a sip of

Martinez family.

of amusement and sympathy for Leopold, who was unaware that these gestures of goodwill were merely offhand remarks by their mentor. The reputation of Emerald Mountain

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

for a moment then nodded. "That works. Anna, being a

next morning, before Percival and Vivienne even

and stood

nodded slightly. "Are

completely fine now," Anna responded, opening the car

"Vivienne, the Watson family has unearthed the Wright family's

an eyebrow, puzzled by the timing of the Watson

and instructed Anna, "Turn around. We're going to

perfect U-turn and sped

an hour later, they arrived at the Wright family estate nearly simultaneously with another

nodded in acknowledgment and then turned to

where's

hands empty, met her gaze, sparking a silent question between

glanced toward the car with a

a loud voice boomed from beside the vehicle, "Over

of blueprints, jogged over

him. "What are you doing here, Leo? Weren't you busy picking out a gift for

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