The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

When Percival left, Nathan Ellington and Cecilia Boyd had just returned from a stroll around the neighborhood. Surprised to see him at this hour, they half-expected some urgent news.

Percival, mindful of the elder's reputation, didn't divulge much, merely stating he was just dropping by.

Cecilia, always the caring one, couldn't help but ask after Vivienne's health, her concern evident.

Nathan glanced at his watch, "It's getting late. Why don't you stay for dinner?"

Isolde stepped forward, latching onto his arm, "Bro, ever since you got hitched, it's been ages since we had a meal together. You can't just forget us now that you have a wife." Cecilia frowned slightly, "Isolde, she's family too. Let's not have any more of that talk."

Isolde's face fell, "I didn't mean it that way, I just wanted you to stay for dinner with us."

Right then, Vivienne called to check on Richard's condition.

Percival reassured her all was well and mentioned he'd join her after dinner at her parents'.

Vivienne was straightforward, "Mr. Wolf, I'll wait for you."

At lunch, Isolde made a point to sit next to Percival, serving him his favorite shrimp dish, "Here, you love these. Eat up."

Percival took it, urging her to eat as well and not fuss over him.

Isolde watched him eat, a fleeting shadow of something unspoken in her eyes, quickly gone.

Moments later, the once lively room fell into an eerie silence.

All lay motionless, slumped over the table.

Outside, a figure in red approached, her bright nails resting lightly on a shoulder, red lips parting, "Well done!"

...

The Linklater family.

lunch, Vivienne chatted with Yorick before retreating

due date, she found

an hour's nap daily, which somewhat alleviated her

a gloomy sky, a

phone, it was already 3

would never be this late without

went unanswered, both to Percival and the Ellington household, leaving

immediately called Leopold, asking him to rush to

before getting into the car, her demeanor icy, "To the Ellington estate, and hurry!" Leopold, taken aback by her intensity, raced through the city,

hard, fearing the worst for Percival with Vivienne on the brink

rang with a video

heart raced, but seeing his name brought

couldn't bring

his white coat turned red, unmistakably in

tightened,

"Abigail!"

with a chilling laugh, "Vivienne, see how your beloved suffers at my hand, and you're powerless to stop

taunting her with the power

air like a blade, ready to strike at the heart

voice was light

on the ground, their hands and feet bound, each bearing various injuries but all unmistakably

among them, lying on

"You're after me. Let them

who was gripping the steering wheel, clenched his