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.

glanced their way, a

of her eyebrow, Vivienne prepared to counter, but the gunman shifted aim

moved to intervene, only to see someone else had already stepped in

Vivienne's elite guards, who were solely focused on her safety, missed protecting

was singular: safeguard Vivienne at

hit by the

crying out, "Mom! Are you okay? Please,

the shooter as they rushed Daphne to the

performing surgery on Daphne herself. She carefully extracted the bullet from her shoulder, noting a small butterfly tattoo with an existing scar. After the surgery, Percival approached, gripping her hand, "Viv, you

head, asking, "Where's

"We've got the shooter.

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

removing her surgical gown, told Percival, "Call my folks,

by the

minutes later, with

ever composed, got straight to

replied, "Come home. We

ensuring Daphne's safety, Vivienne decided to check on Emily but

surgery and you

admit, maybe Mr. Wolf had a

updated over the phone. Thomas, on the other end, informed her of Emily's relentless interrogation of

had been motivated by a significant sum of

cold inquiry about the specifics revealed a complex plot with no clear answers, leaving

send my guys running for the hills

air of indifference, "Let her