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.

everyone lowered their guard, an inconspicuous bystander glanced their way, a

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

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

solely focused on her safety, missed protecting

safeguard Vivienne at all

hit by the bullet and collapsed

in shock, caught Daphne, crying out, "Mom! Are you

the shooter as

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

her head,

replied with concern, "We've got the shooter. She insisted on interrogating him

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

"Call

shaken by the day's

with Sasha's voice coming through, "Missing me

got straight to

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

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

through a two-hour surgery

had to admit, maybe

the phone. Thomas, on the other end,

attacker had been motivated by a significant sum

complex plot with no

to send my guys running for the hills with all

of indifference, "Let