The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Matthew was rooted to the spot.

Should he be making himself scarce now?

The way things were heading, it felt like sticking around for even a second longer was tempting fate.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Connor was ready to leave, but the old man wouldn't have it.

He insisted on having Connor stay for dinner.

"I haven't properly thanked you for saving Juliette last time. You can't refuse me today. It's still early; how about joining an old man for a game of chess?"

With the conversation taking such a turn, Connor couldn't well refuse anymore.

He obliged the old man's wishes and followed him.

Outside, Vivienne narrowed her eyes.

Had she underestimated someone's cunning?

Matthew, trailing behind, swallowed nervously and whispered, "Vivienne, I think I'll head back too."

Vivienne turned, giving him instructions, "I might be tied up with some stuff lately. Keep an eye on things at Rivenwood for me, and call me if anything comes up." Matthew thought Vivienne's "some stuff" had something to do with the man from earlier.

He didn't dare ask more, "Don't worry, Vivienne. I'll keep an eye on the company. Nothing will go wrong."

Saying this, he quickly got into his car and drove away.

Vivienne didn't use the front hall, opting to circle back to her room through the outside corridor.

Having rushed back from abroad upon receiving some news, she hadn't really rested and now craved some quiet.

When she woke up again, it was nearly dark.

Glancing at the clock on the wall-it was six.

The daylight hadn't faded completely yet, but it was close.

Walking out, laughter echoed from the hall.

Vivienne, thinking Leopold had brought the kids back, was about to make a call but decided to walk over instead.

In the living room, only Yorick and Connor were present.

With a narrow victory under his belt, Yorick stroked his beard and chuckled, "Didn't expect you to be quite the chess player at your young age, Percival."

"In your presence, I'm but a novice. Your mastery is far beyond my reach."

As Connor said this, noticing Vivienne, he stood up and greeted, "You're awake."

Vivienne gave him a surprised look, then asked Yorick, "Grandpa, hasn't Leopold brought the kids back yet?"

Yorick glanced at the time, "Your dad just spoke with Leopold on the phone. They're on their way back. The kids were playing on the mountain and fell asleep on the drive back. Leopold's been driving carefully, probably delayed because of that." Vivienne pursed her lips and nodded.

Connor handed her a cup of hot tea, "They should be back soon. Don't worry."

Vivienne took the tea, murmuring a thanks.

He smiled, "We're friends; no need for thanks."

Vivienne paused, realizing he was deliberately speaking for the benefit of the old man.

She wanted to clarify but seeing the smile on her grandfather's face, she chose not to explain further.

Just then, her phone rang-it was Leopold.

Vivienne answered, ready to ask where he was, but Leopold's breathless shout cut through, "Vivienne, it's bad. Juliette and Isaiah have been kidnapped!"

"What did you say?"

Vivienne's expression turned cold, "Explain. What happened?"

Leopold urgently explained, "We were ambushed on the way back. They came prepared, in three groups, trapping our people and taking the kids during the confusion." "Did you see who they were?"

After a pause, Leopold answered, "They were masked; couldn't see faces. But one thing's sure, they weren't locals-they were foreigners."

Vivienne's eyes darkened with resolve. She knew who was responsible, "I'm on my way!"

"I'll come with you."

Though Connor hadn't heard much, he guessed it involved the kids.

Nothing else could cause such a drastic change in Vivienne's demeanor.

"In times like these, the more help, the better. You guys go ahead. I'll contact your dad to seal off all exits from Rivenwood."

Yorick's face was etched with worry. The kids were the family's treasures. If anything happened to them, even flaying those responsible alive wouldn't quench their fury. Vivienne nodded, and she and Connor drove off together.

Leopold waited for them, visibly injured.

As she got out of the car, Leopold, arm bleeding profusely, approached with a grim face, "Vivienne, the kids' trackers are gone. We can't just rush in blindly against so many

Vivienne handed him a pill, "Take this."

Leopold hesitated, looking at the pill and then at Vivienne, his throat tight. He wished she'd scold him instead, "Vivienne, I..."

Vivienne cut him off, "Do you want Juliette and Isaiah to see you like this, or would you prefer to bleed out before we can save them?" Leopold clenched his jaw.

It was his fault. If only he hadn't come to the mountains, or had left earlier, they wouldn't be in this mess.

Draven arrived soon after, followed by members of the Nine Mystics Society.

"Miss."

Vivienne asked sternly, "Can we still track our people?"

She had always ensured the kids were protected discreetly.

Their attackers had planned meticulously, clearly targeting her through the children.

Draven responded, "The trackers vanished near here, in the mountains. Our people are ready to search."

The kidnappers' goal wasn't the children; they aimed to use them as leverage against her.

Vivienne slipped off a locket she had been wearing and handed it to Draven, "I've placed a tracker inside Juliette's necklace. Take your team

and follow the signal. Keep me updated, but don't spook them."

Draven nodded, "Understood!"

QUMS

Leopold, overhearing this, suddenly spoke up, "I'll go find Griffin. Let's get some muscle on this, tighten the search net. Those guys are

mercenaries, in it for the money, not afraid to play dirty. We're better off showing some firepower."

"Vivienne, wait for me!"

With that, Leopold turned on his heel and headed for his car, making a beeline for the hills.

Vivienne raised her hand, signaling her team into action.

She was about to head deeper into the area on her own when someone grabbed her wrist, "Let me come with you."

Vivienne frowned, almost forgetting he was there.

Connor spoke earnestly, "I know you don't need me, but I'm pretty good with the kids, maybe I can help."

Vivienne gave him a look, "Then let's go. Together."

A few minutes after Leopold left, Vivienne sent a message to Griffin.

She instructed her to keep a close eye on him. His emotions were all over the place, and with his injuries, he'd only be in the way if he came along.

If necessary, knocking him out was an option.

As for weapons, her people were never short of them.

Neither was she.