The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne's smile was like frost on a winter's morning - stunning, yet sharp enough to cut.

Even Raquel, who was known for being less than bright, could tell that Vivienne wasn't asking for her opinion.

With trembling hands, Raquel tried to pry away Vivienne's firm grip, her eyes rolling back as she scanned the bystanders.

Those who had been united with her in opposition against the Littletons, who they had considered a thorn in their side, were now nowhere to be seen.

As their eyes met hers, they all looked away.

No one dared to intervene or even utter a word of encouragement.

It was clear to anyone with eyes that Vivienne was not to be trifled with, especially with Leopold at her back.

His fighting skills were the talk of the town! The two bodyguards had seemed formidable, able to kick down the steel doors of a gated community with ease, but Leopold could take them both on as if it were child's play, without breaking a sweat.

Raquel finally managed to speak, her voice barely a whisper, "I... I agree...

"Smart choice," Vivienne nodded, satisfied, and finally released her stranglehold on Raquel's throat.

As Raquel gasped for air, clutching her chest and coughing violently, she shot a venomous glare at Vivienne. But before she could react further, she felt a sharp pain at her neck and darkness swept over her.

Vivienne stood up slowly, brushing her foot against the hem of Raquel's dress.

Her gaze swept around the room, settling on the darkened security camera, then moved to Elwood, the property manager. Elwood shuddered visibly, his voice trembling, "Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, our cameras are out of order today. There won't be any gossip spreading from here!" Vivienne didn't respond, just coughed lightly, "Leopold, stop playing around." "Got it!" Leopold replied, speeding up his actions, and within seconds, the two towering bodyguards were sprawled on the ground.

He wiped his hands and tossed his handkerchief to the floor before striding over to Raquel, now lying behind Vivienne. His eyes, gleaming with mischief, swept over two children, "I assyou two know how to tattle?" The kids, who had already had a run-in with him, cowered in the corner clutching the table legs.

By the tVivienne stepped out of the building, Leopold was wrapping things up, "Remember to tell your folks that the bruises you got today are because of your dear aunt here, got it?" "Yes, we understand," the children nodded vigorously.

As Vivienne waited for Leopold, she paused and looked back, "Leopold, hurry up." Leopold was pleased with their compliance and, dragging Raquel behind him, quickly passed the onlookers, "You all should know what to say and what not to say." The crowd nodded earnestly, "We know, we know." Even if they didn't, they would claim to know! It was too frightening! Who else could be as deceptively cheerful and dangerous as Leopold? It felt like if they disagreed, he would be on them in an instant.

Vivienne's car was parked not far from the property management office.

Concerned that Raquel might dirty his new car, Leopold opened the trunk and tossed her in like a sack of potatoes, his movements as smooth as a seasoned kidnapper.

Vivienne watched, her brow furrowing. What in the world had Mr. Wolf taught Leopold? But despite her inner commentary, she wasn't too keen on sharing a car ride with Raquel, so she didn't object, only urging Leopold to make haste.

As they were busy, two figures approached them.

Their steps were soft as if walking on plush grass, yet Vivienne could hear their determined strides.

They were soldiers.

Vivienne tensed and reached to close the trunk, but the two had already noticed a piece of Raquel's clothing sticking out.

"Freeze! What have you got in there?!" one of them demanded, his eyes as piercing as an eagle's.

"Jeez, you scared me!" Leopold reacted quickly, tucking the fabric in and slamming the trunk shut. "Gentlemen, can I help you with something?" The leader, stern and unsmiling, fixed his gaze on the closed trunk, "Open it up. Let's have a look!" Vivienne fiddled with the car keys, her pale fingers pressing the lock button to secure the trunk.

Flashing a law enforcement badge, she pushed Leopold into the passenger seat, "We're following protocol, step aside." She circled to the driver's side, opened the door, and slid in, starting the car with fluid motions.

Cough! Hey, letsee that varrant! You two, don't move!" The not exhaust fumes made the lead nan's eye's water as he stubbornly chased after the car. If his partner adn't held him back, he might have un right out of the neighborhood. That's Percival's wife, former leputy director of the Vanguard Agency, and now one of the key igures in setting up a new national security department. She doesn't leed your permission to detain ¿omeone," his partner informed him The Linklater family hwas unusually lively that day, with Arthur in high spirits, having cleared his schedule to spend tchatting.

Chase and Dante had just stepped into the yard when Yorick, knowing them as Arthur's comrades-in-arms, warmly invited them over, "You two lads, it's been a while! You must stay for dinner today." Chase's face broke into a bright smile, "If you insist, sir, I won't be going anywhere. I haven't even had lunch yet, so this works out perfectly." Dante shook his head at Chase's antics, "We've been tied up with sissues at the base. We've been meaning to cby and see you, sir. I'm glad we finally made it today. Just don't mind us if we're a bit noisy." "You boys," Yorick chuckled, "I love a bit of commotion. Seems toyou're more worried about bothering an old man like me." "Cassie, wheelinside, would you? It's scorching out here, and I'm craving the cool blast of the air conditioning." "But it's hardly even sun..." Chase glanced up at the sky.

The heavens were a blanket of foggy gray, the clouds a somber shade of slate.

It seemed as though a tempest was brewing, a dark mass pressing down, obliterating any hope of sun or the slightest wisp of white cloud.

Had the old man gotten his wires crossed? Dante sighed and gave Chase a playful slap on the back of his head, "You're such a simpleton! We just went through this. Mr. Yorick's trying to give us a hint, wants us to have a private chat. Can't you read between the lines?!" "And there you were, arguing withnon-stop. If I hadn't stepped in, you'd have picked a fight with Ms. Hawthorn, for heaven's sake!" The usual warmth in Arthur's eyes stuttered to a halt at the mention of Ms. Hawthorn, "Ms. Hawthorn? Vivienne? You ran into her?" "Sure did," Dante, oblivious to the shift in Arthur's demeanor, pointed at Chase with a mix of frustration and bemusement as he recounted the story to Arthur, "Buddy, you should have seen it. We were just coming from the subdivision when We ran smack dab into Ms. Hawthorn laying down the law." mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1