The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Sasha nodded in agreement, her face a mask of nonchalance. Even though she was concerned, she didn't want to delve deeper into the issue, especially with Daphne still under the weather. There was no need to burden her with more worries. Pointing to the bowl of soup on the table, Sasha mentioned, "I've had someone whip up a fresh batch for you. Best not to touch this one, someone will come to take care of it."

Daphne nodded weakly, her voice barely above a whisper, "If it weren't for the captain swinging by today, I reckon I might've been a goner."

Sasha reassured her, urging her to take it easy and focus on her recovery. "As long as you're under the Linklater family's roof, no one's going to lay a finger on you," she promised, before turning to leave. She had only taken a few steps when she heard someone call out to her.

Anna emerged from the house, her voice laced with concern as she asked, "Karen, how's Vivienne doing?"

Anna had been cooped up at the Linklater's without venturing out, but even from within, she could sense the tension brewing.

It was clear to her that Vivienne must have encountered some danger.

Sasha offered a comforting smile, assuring her, "She's fine, don't you worry. Just focus on looking after your mom. Vivienne's got Percival by her side."

Relieved by the news, Anna bit her lip in a silent nod.

Just as Sasha was about to leave, she noticed two pots of geraniums by her feet, plants that she hadn't spotted in the dim light earlier.

Curiosity piqued, she casually asked, "Anna, why are these flowers out here?"

Anna glanced back inside, "Mom's been feeling a bit stuffy lately, couldn't stand the smell, so we moved them outside."

Sasha acknowledged with a nod, saying she'd have someone see to them later, then waved Anna off, insisting she didn't need to be escorted out.

The next day, Vivienne woke up to the sound of Mr. Wolf softly speaking into his phone, catching only a fragment of his conversation, "If grandpa needs us, Vivienne and I will be there."

The mention of 'grandpa' instantly made Vivienne realize he was referring to Yorick.

Post-call, Vivienne inquired, "Mr. Wolf, what's happened to grandpa?"

Percival turned to her, a solemn look on his face, "Your mom called to say, grandpa was poisoned last night and hasn't woken up since."

Vivienne's expression hardened, "What happened?"

the poison incident at the Linklater estate from the night before, an

was detected early,

Linklater family!" Vivienne

she's trying to throw us into disarray, to catch us off-guard and ensnare us in her trap." Vivienne narrowed her

importance of her health, especially

now, your and the kids' safety is what matters

concerns but couldn't help wondering, "If we don't act, who will

passed

were all significant,

her into action, then someone close to her

was obvious who

her hand, his tone earnest, "Vivienne, promise me, no matter what happens, you won't stray from my

Wolf, didn't the master say our child would arrive

worries, Vivienne reminded him of the master's predictions,

divined

assuring a safe birth for their child. However, he'd also warned Percival to remain vigilantly by Vivienne's side, particularly during these crucial months, emphasizing the danger Abigail posed to Vivienne alone, especially with the Millennia Aegis shard in

pulled him back from

been craving your strawberry cheesecake," she said, a hint

chuckled, tapping her nose,

left to fulfill her request, Vivienne reached for her phone, considering a call to her mother. But realizing her mother had only contacted Mr. Wolf, likely to spare her the

emotions as she quickly

reported in a hushed tone, "We've located the village where Daphne resurfaced

we

They said there were traces of her living there. Because she was badly injured when she was rescued the folks in that village didn't know her

pressed on, "And then

pulled from the sea. As soon as she regained consciousness, she was determined to find someone and then she just vanished from there." "For the past

for sure,

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