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.

lowered their guard, an inconspicuous bystander glanced their way, a gun blatantly aimed at

a subtle raise of her eyebrow, Vivienne prepared to counter, but the gunman shifted aim to Emily and fired

expression darkened as she moved to intervene, only to see someone else had

Vivienne's elite guards, who were solely focused

was singular: safeguard

by the bullet and collapsed

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

her team to follow the shooter as they rushed Daphne to the

carefully extracted the bullet from her shoulder, noting a small butterfly tattoo with

shook her head, asking,

with concern, "We've got the

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

told Percival, "Call

by the day's events, hesitated but

went through minutes later, with Sasha's

ever composed, got straight to the point, "Mom,

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

Vivienne decided to check on Emily

surgery and you say

had to admit, maybe Mr. Wolf had a

the other end,

significant sum of money, but

plot with no clear answers,

to send my

carried an air of indifference,