The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

V Leopold's jaw dropped open so wide you'd think he could swallow a baseball whole.

"The deputy chief is back." Can you believe it? Miracles do happen in this world! Both the chief and the deputy chief made it out alive! Buzzing with excitement, he turned to ask, "Vivienne, what does the deputy chief look like now?" "I had such a crush on her back then, just never got the chance to see her much." Vivienne lifted her chin a bit, "Well, you could go up and ask for an autograph now. I can wait." As long as he wasn't worried about Anna going ballistic on him.

Hearing this, Leopold immediately recoiled, "No way, I wouldn't dare!" "The deputy chief was known as the Vanguard Agency's beauty with an angelic face and a devil's heart. I'm content just catching a glimpse from afar." Vivienne chuckled at him, "Never seen you this scared of my mom, have you?" "That's different. The chief tends to stay out of these matters and takes good care of us youngsters. But the deputy chief, she's a whole other story." Leopold still broke out in a cold sweat remembering his first day at the Vanguard Agency.

"Oh, you've seen her?" Leopold shook his head, "Not personally, but I've heard stories. They say the deputy chief once interrogated a top-tier criminal. One second she was gently presenting evidence for him to sign, the next, when the guy refused to cooperate, she... let's just say made quick work of his manhood with a knife." Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

No wonder her mom liked her so much. Birds of a feather.

Leopold swallowed hard, "And that's not all. She then had a wolf brought in, right in front of the guy, and let it eat... well, you know. If he refused to talk, she'd just keep cutting, letting him watch as his body parts were devoured piece by piece." "The whole ordeal didn't last more than ten minutes. The guy spilled everything." Vivienne, "...

She admitted she might have had a slight misunderstanding about Daphne.

How could such a gentle southern belle smile while doing those things? Like attracts like, after all.

She knew all too well the influence of her mother.

Percival had been silent, but these stories made him think.

Locking eyes with Vivienne, their understanding of each other was clear. She knew exactly what Mr. Wolf was thinking. She shook her head at him, "If that were the case, Anna would have noticed." Percival's gaze deepened.

The closer someone is, the more likely they are to be blinded by their own feelings.

Recent events had made him wary of anyone trying to get close to Vivienne.

No exceptions.

Vivienne understood Mr. Wolf's concerns, but Daphne was not just anyone. Plus, she hadn't noticed anything amiss.

"Mr. Wolf, no rush. We'll call my parents later, let them know. My mom will hop on a plane back here the moment she hears." Apart from Anna, her mom knew Daphne best.

True or false, she could spot it instantly.

Percival sighed, "Mom and dad aren't in their usual spot anymore, and we can't reach them through Vanguard Agency." Vivienne blinked, "Well, looks like we'll have to wait until Uncle Maddox's engagement party to tell her." There was about a week left until the engagement party.

It wouldn't hurt to wait until they met in person.

Percival hoped this wasn't the scenahe had in mind.

After all, being part of the Vanguard Agency, he knew more about that person than Vivienne did.

On their way back, Percival got called into the office.

Leopold, meanwhile, started venting to Vivienne about the uing engagement party, and the argument over who was the master's favorite apprentice.

Thinking back, Leopold felt a mix of emotions, "The master could have just offeredup to avoid the jealousy among my brothers..." Vivienne's lips twitched, looking at the man trying to hide his smirk.

With disbelief, she asked, "What did you give to the master?" "They... weren't that expensive." Vivienne, "..." Not expensive? Originals from an auction, and he says they weren't expensive? And does he truly not know or is he playing dumb? The master's library in Emerald Mountain is practically dust at this point.

Was it the books he was after, or the cash they'd fetch? The old man would rather die than part with his treasures.

The gift giver knew exactly what he was doing, but the giver's mind was clearly missing a few pieces.

Vivienne snorted, “Leopold, then why don't I have a trunk full of cash under my clothes?" Leopold, "..." He knew it. Vivienne never asked questions without reason.

"Vivienne, I gave those as gifts, not wanting to make Percival jealous, you know?" Hoping Mr. Wolf's status would shield him, he waited for her response.

But Vivienne shattered his hope, "Mr. Wolf wouldn't be! And besides, you were giving gifts, not bombs. Why would he refuse?" Leopold swallowed hard, trying not to read between the lines, maintaining a forced "smile", "If you want, I hit the auction house tomorrow, get something just like what I got the master." en.kikistories "No need for the trouble. Just wirethe equivalent of what you spent on the master." Leopold's heart bled. There went his savings.

Vivienne added, "If it's too much for a transfer, I accept checks too." Leopold was on the verge of tears.

He'd rather have Vivienne beat him up or even force him to transcribe scriptures. A hundred times, a thousand times, he'd do it willingly.

But this money... He was saving to get married...

He never imagined getting married would be this expensive.

As Vivienne stepped towards their home, her phone rang. It was Mr. Wolf.

"Mr. Wolf, what's wrong?" "Vivienne, Grandpa's taken ill. Can you swing by?" "Grandpa's sick!" Vivienne paused, a note of concern in her voice, "What's wrong with him?" Percival sighed on the other end, "Not sure. He cdown to the office today, gavean earful for half an hour, and then went homeplaining of chest tightnessz Now he's docked himself in his room and hasn't had a drop to drink all day." en.kikistories The more Vivienne listened, the more puzzled she became, "Can't make heads or tails of it over the phone. I'lle have a look." Having said that, she turned to stop Leopold who was about to leave, "Leopold,e back!" Leopold, thinking his mentor had a change of heart, quickly reversed the car, but before he could say a word, Vivienne got in and instructed, "To the Ellington Mansion." Leopold blinked, "What happened?" Vivienne buckled up and signaled for Leopold to drive, "Richard's sick, and Mr. Wolf is there." "Ah?" Leopold pressed the gas pedal, his own concerns momentarily otten, "Is it serious?" Vivienne glanced at him, "What do you think? He hasn't had anything to drink since this morning." Leopold pursed his lips, a thought he shouldn't entertain creeping into his mind, "Vivienne, you don't think Richard could be..."