The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne paused in front of a freshly erected tombstone, its crisp marble etched with Delilah's nbut bearing no photograph. Abigail had done so much evil in Delilah's guise.

Vivienne didn't want Cordelia to be haunted by those bitter memories.

Approaching, Cordelia unwrapped a parcel, gently laying out each item before the grave, her voice soft but firm. "These clothes were yours. I thought of making a memorial just of these, never imagined we'd actually find you..." "And these two pendants, you wielded them like weapons, trying to forceout of the Wilson family. Now, they're yours. I've no desire to return to that house, nor does anyone wish to contest this with you anymore." "Rest easy, Flynn's recovering well in the hospital. I visit him daily." "Once he's better, he'lle live with us, go to school with Thadessus. If he can't live like everyone else, it doesn't matter. Dorian and I have agreed, what's Thaddeus's is Flynn's too." Vivienne remained silent behind her.

Only when Cordelia, tears wiped away, turned to leave, did Vivienne step forward, offering a hand, "Cordelia, let's head back." Cordelia grasped her hand, nodding, "Okay." On their way back, Cordelia's heart felt lighter. She looked at Vivienne, gratitude in her eyes. "Vivienne, thank you for everything with Delilah." Vivienne shrugged it off. "Cordelia, we're family. You taughtthat." Cordelia smiled, content. "Having you as my daughter is a blessing." Vivienne suddenly asked, "Does Astrid know about this?" Cordelia sighed, shaking her head. "I haven't told her. She's always had a grudge against Delilah. Even if I did tell her, she wouldn't havee. Swounds from the past are too deep." Vivienne didn't press further. This was Cordelia's family affair, something neither she nor Dorian could intervene in.

Dropping Cordelia at her doorstep, Vivienne didn't go up. Watching her ascend, she then directed Thomas to drive to the Linklater estate.

Uncle Maddox had caused quite the stir.

Grandfather would never stand for it.

The Linklater mansion was locked tight.

Thomas rang the doorbell.

The butler's voice cthrough, headache evident, "Oh, Lord, if it's one of the Perez boys, please, our master isn't home..." "It's me," Vivienne said.

There was a pause, then scrambling to open the door. "Miss, you're back!" Vivienne nodded, “Where's Grandpa?" The butler, ever attentive, replied, “In his study, probably writing." Vivienne found her way to the study, pausing at the door to see Yorick absorbed in his calligraphy.

"Grandpa," she called out gently.

Yorick looked up, his face breaking into a smile. "Vivienne! I thought you were..." He trailed off, hinting at Maddox without saying it.

Vivienne sat down, acknowledging the unique nature of Uncle Maddoxpared to her moreposed uncles.

Yorick, moving away from his desk, poured tea and offered ssnacks.

"Your parents left a message, said if you needed them, you could reach them through Vanguard Agency. They're somewhere without signal." Vivienne, nibbling on a scone, wondered aloud if Uncle Maddox had tried reaching them.

Yorick chuckled, "He wouldn't believe it." Vivienne sighed. Uncle Maddox's trust in the Perez family's informationwork was indeed unwavering.

Yorick, seeing Vivienne alone, inquired about Percival.

"Mr. Wolf's tied up with work," she explained.

Yorick sipped his tea, noting Richard Ellington's decision to delegate his responsibilities, acknowledging the burden on Percival. Vivienne nearly choked on her scone at the mention of the Ellington family's internal ambitions.

After warming up with shot milk and snacks, Vivienne feltfortable enough to discuss the real reason for her visit. "So, Grandpa, what's your take on the Wright family?" she ventured, ready to delve into family politics.

"The Wright family?" Yorick's question cas a surprise.

Vivienne nodded, "You must have heard about Abigail's situation. Just because she's disappeared doesn't mean she won't resurface. Whatever she's hiding is surely a threat to national security, but she's been careful not to let anything stip." en.kikistories SW "So far, the only lead we have points to the Wright family." Yorick furrowed his brows, "You mean the Wrights have been working for Abigail all these years?" "Exactly," Vivienne confirmed. "The Wright family's background isplex. To put it simply, the patriarch of the Wright family was just a pawn for Abigail. Hees from an ancient warrior lineage." Yorick squinted, "I had no idea the Wrights were that deeply involved." "It might not seem obvious now, but I remember, decades ago, the cel.

Wrights were just a middle-class family. Then, after marrying into the family, the current head of the Wright family propelled them from mediocrity to bing one of the most prominent families, just below the top four." en.kikistories "Eventually, the Wrights moved away from their original hto settle in their current location." Vivienne's brow twitched, "So, the estate of the Wright family is a recent development?" "Indeed," Yorick confirmed. "The land was chosen by a renowned architect, which is why it attracted so many followers. But at the end of the day, no amount of good feng shui can settle an unpredictable heart, ultimately amounting to nothing." en.kikistories Vivienne agreed with this statement.

Seeing through Vivienne's thoughts, Yorick added, "The Wright family has been quiet for so long. Have they run into strouble?" Vivienne pressed her lips together, "We suspect the Wrights might be hiding something for Abigail, but we've yet to find any concrete leads." Yorick fell silent for a moment, "Many from the Wright family have either gone mad or fled. If you want to investigate, you might need to start from the very foundation of their estate." "I recall their house was designed by the Watson family's firm. The original blueprints might still exist. I'll write you a letter of introduction; the Linklaters owe them a favor, so they should be willing to help." Vivienne made a note of the name.

But whenever they mentioned the Wright family, her thoughts inevitably drifted to one person, "Grandfather, what about Winston Wright?"