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 up and

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 seem to relate

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

of these gestures

bowl of soup and said, "I'll have Thomas stick

about Leopold?" she asked, taking a sip of

errands for the Martinez

engagement party, orchestrated by their mentor. She couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement and sympathy for Leopold, who was unaware that these gestures of goodwill were merely offhand remarks by their mentor. The reputation of

we don't need to rely solely on Thomas," she suggested to Mr. Wolf. "Let Anna

"That works. Anna, being a woman, might be

Percival and Vivienne even left the house, Anna was already

approached and stood at attention. "Vivienne,

"Are you feeling

Anna responded,

"Vivienne, the Watson family has unearthed the Wright family's blueprints. I'm heading there now.

puzzled by the timing of

and instructed Anna, "Turn around. We're

perfect U-turn and sped off in the opposite

nearly simultaneously with another car. Matthew,

acknowledgment and then turned to

Wolf, where's

empty, met her gaze, sparking a silent question between

glanced toward the car with a hint

voice boomed from beside

a roll of blueprints, jogged over from the

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

for this. One clever sentence