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."

Percival left, Vivienne sat up and

addition of several cryptic gestures she hadn't seen

just as Vivienne was puzzling

of these gestures

"I'll have Thomas stick close to you from

asked, taking a sip of the

got him running errands for the Martinez family. He'll be tied up for a day or

and sympathy for Leopold, who was unaware that these gestures of goodwill were merely offhand

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

works. Anna, being a woman, might be more attentive to your needs right

Percival and Vivienne even left the house,

Vivienne, Anna quickly approached and stood at

nodded slightly. "Are you

completely fine now," Anna responded, opening the car door

they drove away, Vivienne received a call from Mr. Wolf. "Vivienne, the Watson family has unearthed the Wright family's blueprints. I'm

puzzled by the timing of the Watson

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

a perfect U-turn and sped off in the

Wright family estate nearly simultaneously with another car. Matthew, who had

then turned

where's

gaze, sparking

the car with

a loud voice boomed from beside the vehicle, "Over here,

of blueprints, jogged over from the

him. "What are you doing here,

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