The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival shook his head.

Vivienne was about to sigh in relief when Percival spoke up, "We have a separate kitchen here, and I've brought all the essentials from home, including your medication. You can't skip it." Vivienne, "..." Those supplements were mostly for general health; missing a few doses wouldn't really affect her.

But from Mr. Wolf's earnest look, it seemed as if the sky would fall if she missed even a single dose.

Mr. Wolf still looked a bit pale, and Vivienne couldn't bear to waste his concern, so she took a few extra bites of her meal. Thinking back to the text message from Leopold she hadn't replied to, she casually asked, "Mr. Wolf, how's Leopold doing?" Percival's eyes lit up at the mention, "He's doing fine, eating, sleeping, and withpany. He's probably as happy as can be right now." Vivienne paused in her eating, "Griffin Martinez showed up." Percival hummed, placing a bowl of soup on the table to cool, "The Martinez family has been hesitant to let go because of the past issues, and the Sterling family, knowing they're at fault, have placed all the blon Leopold." "This time, his leg injury flared up, giving them the perfect excuse to keep him close. They're playing it up as much as they can." Vivienne fell silent, impressed by Leopold's strategic use of his condition.

With the man practically in their grasp, a formal alliance with the Martinez family couldn't be far behind.

Percival's phone rang, and he answered, "Uncle Maddox, go ahead." Despite the distance, Vivienne could hear every word of the conversation between Mr. Wolf and Uncle Maddox Perez.

She found it odd and asked, "Why did Uncle Maddox call you about me?" Percival smiled at her, "They're worried about you and didn't want to overwhelm you with calls, so they directed them to me, including your father." Vivienne, "...

|| That was unexpected.

Knowing her dad, Arthur Linklater, it must have been her mom's idea.

Otherwise, with Arthur's impatience, he probably would have stormed the hospital the second he heard she was admitted.

It seems Uncle Maddox must have heard from her master.

It looked like she might have to visit not just the Dorian family tomorrow.

Though her grandfather hadn't said anything, Uncle Maddox's involvement and her master's presence meant she needed to check in personally.

As for the Linklater family's issues and the matter with the Wright family, she had planned to interrogate Abigail upon capturing her, to give the Linklater family sclosure.

But with Abigail's sudden disappearance, those plans were dashed.

She had once promised her grandfather to look into it, but now the key piece, the real Hailey who was killed by Abigail decades ago on her way abroad, remained a mystery only Abigail could solve.

Percival handed her the now-cooled revitalizing soup, "Don't overthink it. Get srest, and I'll be with you tomorrow." Vivienne took the soup, nodding.

Suddenly, Thomas knocked on the door, "Percival, the lady's medicine is ready." Vivienne lost her appetite looking at the bowl of soup.

The next day before leaving the hospital, Vivienne visited Flynn in the special care unit. Brody's antidote pills had been delivered days ago.

Yet, Flynn's body still struggled to fully eliminate the toxins,pounded by the protective pills taken the day before.

Aplete recovery would take more time.

On their way to the Brooks family, Leopold called, "Percival, Vivienne, have you left?" Percival confirmed and grew silent.

Leopold, as if sensing Vivienne was nearby, shouted into the phone, "Vivienne, I heard you were hurt. How serious is it? How could you be discharged so early? What if itplicates into something worse..." Vivienne interrupted, exasperated, "Leopold, think before you gossip next time. Who told you I was injured?" Leopold on the other end was confused, "Ah, if not Vivienne, then who?" Percival and Thomas exchanged looks, suspecting Leopold might be feigning ignorance but had no proof.

Vivienne, tired of explaining, told him to focus on healing and seizing the opportunity to marry Griffin, to not embarrass Emerald Mountain.

Their master had personally intervened; any failure now was on him.

Leopold glanced at Griffin, who had stayed by his side all night, touched but resolute, "Vivienne, don't worry. I won't let Emerald Mountain or our master down." Griffin, overhearing, blushed, thinking Leopold was undertaking another mission. She reminded him of his injury, but he took her hand, promising, "I was assuring Vivienne I'll make you my wife." en.kikistories Griffin's face warmed at the mention of marriage, already agreed upon but yet to be formalized, "You've already proposed, and I've accepted. It's just a matter of time, no need to rush." Leopold insisted, "No, it's important!" "Once I'm out of the hospital, I'm heading straight to the Martinez household to beg them to let us get engaged. We can't delay the wedding longer than three months." He was genuinely frightened that if they waited any longer, Godfrey Martinez might just set Griffin up with another guy.

That would drive him absolutely mad.

Griffin was stunned.

Was this the Leopold she knew? He was actually pushing to marry her within three months. When had he be so eager? Meanwhile, at the Brooks residence.

When Vivienne and Percival arrived, it was Dorian who opened the door.

Spotting the pair, his weariness seemed to vanish instantly, "Vivienne, Percival, you're here." Vivienne sensed something was off the moment she stepped inside, immediately asking, "Dorian, what's happened?" Dorian hadn't intended to worry Vivienne as well, but now that they were here, he couldn't keep it from them.

He led them into the living room and began, "Vivienne, to be honest, after Cordelia was brought hyesterday, she's been like a different person, She won't eat, she won't talk, and she even had a fever last night. It only broke this morning. en.kikistories Vivienne and Percival exchanged a glance, both understanding the situation.

It must have been Abigail using Cordelia's identity.

Cordelia must have discovered something.

"Dorian, how is Cordelia now?" Vivienne glanced towards the master bedroom, her concern evident.

Cordelia had secured a special place in her heart with her kindness.

Rubbing his face, Dorian sighed, "This morning, it was only after Thaddeus pleaded with her before heading to school that she finally drank sporridge. She's probably asleep again. I thought about taking her to the hospital, but she insists she's fine and doesn't need to go." en.kikistories Vivienne gave a look to the person beside her and then stood up, "Mr. Wolf, why don't you stay and chat with Dorian? I'll go check on Cordelia." Percival caught her drift, nodding in agreement.

Abigail's identity was tooplex, a high-profile target for the authorities; the less they knew, the safer they were.

Dorian trusted Vivienne's medical skills. Having her look in on Cordelia eased his worries.

Approaching the bedroom, Vivienne turned the handle.

Pushing the door gently, it opened, likely left ajar by Dorian in his haste earlier.

The curtains were half-open, letting in just enough sunlight to brighten the room.

Cordelia Wilson was sleeping quietly, her pallor visibly poor.

Vivienne didn't rush to check her pulse. Instead, she found a chair, brought it over to the bedside, and spoke softly, "Cordelia, I know you're awake."