The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Halfway through dinner, Daphne took the initiative, lifting her wine glass in a toast to Vivienne. "Viv, this one's for you, on behalf of my precious Emily. If it hadn't been for you taking her away from that godforsaken place of Havenwood and mentoring her, I can't begin to

imagine what could have become of her."

"Now, seeing her thriving by your side, I reckon it's the universe doing us a solid."

Perhaps memories of her own past trials made her emotional, as Daphne's eyes briefly welled up.

Vivienne stood up, her response heartfelt, "You're giving me too much credit. Emily's success at Vanguard Agency is all her own doing. All I did was recognize her potential."

Then, replacing her wine with a glass of water nearby, she added, "Been battling a bit of a cold, hope you don't mind my switching to water."

Daphne nodded in understanding, letting her be at ease, as she herself downed the wine.

The dinner went smoothly, wrapping up in a warm atmosphere. Vivienne offered Daphne a ride home.

As they left the restaurant, a sudden chill of danger washed over them. Across the street, a group of menacing figures in black, armed and heading straight for them, appeared out of nowhere.

"Viv, watch out!" Emily was the first to react, instinctively stepping in front of Vivienne.

Before Emily could act, a dozen elite guards materialized around Vivienne, swiftly encircling the attackers.

The confrontation was quickly contained, with Vivienne's gaze turning icy.

These were operatives of Mr. Wolf, a last resort not deployed lightly.

It appeared Abigail had been aware of this.

inconspicuous bystander glanced their way, a gun blatantly aimed at

her eyebrow, Vivienne prepared to counter, but the gunman shifted aim to Emily and fired without

only to see someone else had already stepped in front of

solely focused on her safety, missed protecting one

mission was singular: safeguard Vivienne at

was hit by the bullet

out, "Mom! Are you okay? Please, don't scare

signaled her team to follow the shooter as they

bullet from her shoulder, noting a small butterfly tattoo with

shook her head, asking, "Where's

"We've got the shooter.

temperament, Vivienne understood she wouldn't just sit idly by, especially not when

"Call my

shaken by the day's events, hesitated

later, with Sasha's voice coming through, "Missing

straight to the point,

news sent Sasha into a flurry of excitement and questions, to which Vivienne simply replied, "Come home. We need to talk." Hanging up,

at the hospital, with Percival ensuring Daphne's safety, Vivienne decided to check on Emily but was stopped

through a two-hour surgery and you say

maybe Mr. Wolf had a

the other end, informed

attacker had been motivated by a significant sum of money, but the details remained

revealed a complex plot with no clear answers,

is about to send my guys running for

of indifference,