The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The next day.

Leopold's car pulled up outside the Linklater residence when he spotted a sleek black sedan parked right behind him. The moment he saw who stepped out of it, his eyes widened in shock.

The expression was a dead ringer for Juliette's usual demeanor.

"What are you doing here?"

Draven paused, giving him a glance over before responding with his typical icy demeanor, "I'm here to see the boss." Leopold blinked in surprise.

His shock was understandable; over the past few years, he only knew Draven had been dispatched by Vivienne across the globe in search of Percival. He had never shown his face until now.

This sudden appearance, could it mean he had found...

Leopold's thoughts raced, and he stepped forward to block Draven's path, "Hey, Draven, no rush, I've got something to ask you..."

Draven had no intention of catching up.

He was here on urgent business for Vivienne.

After explaining his purpose to the security, he strode inside.

The more Draven acted this way, the more Leopold was convinced of his suspicions.

He hurried after him, clapping Draven on the shoulder from behind, "What's the hurry, man? Didn't you know Vivienne's been out these past few days?" Draven paused but didn't respond.

Leopold, ever the sociable one, draped an arm over his shoulder, nudging him with a grin, "Years have gone by, and you're still the same. We've known each other for years; we're practically brothers, right?" "You rushing over to see Vivienne, got something important, huh? She's not around, but you can talk to me, I swear I won't breathe a word."

Leopold probed with each phrase, unable to conceal his curiosity in his glittering eyes.

If there truly was news about Percival.

That would be the news of the century.

He was dying to know where Percival might be.

Draven glanced at him, feeling a disconnect in their conversation.

Leopold, puzzled by Draven's look, "What? Man, Vivienne really isn't here, you think I'd lie to you?"

He turned only to be met with the sight of Vivienne's imposing figure in the foyer, causing him to choke, "Vivienne?"

did you

a deep look,

feeling uneasy at the early morning

glancing between Vivienne and Draven,

happened with Juliette at school yesterday afternoon?" Leopold's heart skipped

bad, I should've watched Juliette more closely. I promise, it won't happen again, and I'll never mix up the kids'

bridge of her

Leopold, confused, "Then what?"

"You were the one who saved

shook his head, "I was only a few steps away; Juliette dodged it

eyes, "She dodged

Juliette hadn't moved just in time, that car would've hit her... You have no idea, Vivienne, I was scared to death. Just thinking about it makes

it? I was worried this morning, you know how she hates nightmares." Vivienne's gaze softened, suggesting Leopold should

leaving, Leopold shot Draven a look, wanting to dig for information but wary of

decided to step back, planning

spoke, "Boss, the person assigned to guard the young miss and master did notice someone

gaze returned to its

trusted Leopold, and she knew

Mr. Wolf's survival, he couldn't have

only

hadn't seen "him"

Of course.

to keep his presence a secret, especially from those

this, chose not

Vivienne, and

conversation back, "How did we

a minute later, the person had vanished.

darkened, "How sure are you it

yet, but the timing and the ability to use powers

had similar situations over the

the outcome

five years, she had spread her network across the globe in search of him, each

Vivienne's gaze became introspective.

right under her nose, playing a

would let him understand the fury she'd been suppressing

something

No matter the reason.