The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The next day.

Leopold's car pulled up outside the Linklater residence when he spotted a sleek black sedan parked right behind him.

The moment he saw who stepped out of it, his eyes widened in shock.

The expression was a dead ringer for Juliette's usual demeanor.

"What are you doing here?" Draven paused, giving him a glance over before responding with his typical icy demeanor, "I'm here to see the boss." Leopold blinked in surprise.

His shock was understandable; over the past few years, he only knew Draven had been dispatched by Vivienne across the globe in search of Percival.

He had never shown his face until now.

This sudden appearance, could it mean he had found...

Leopold's thoughts raced, and he stepped forward to block Draven's path, "Hey, Draven, no rush, I've got something to ask you..." Draven had no intention of catching up.

He was here on urgent business for Vivienne.

After explaining his purpose to the security, he strode inside.

The more Draven acted this way, the more Leopold was convinced of his suspicions.

He hurried after him, clapping Draven on the shoulder from behind, "What's the hurry, man? Didn't you know Vivienne's been out these past few days?" Draven paused but didn't respond.

Leopold, ever the sociable one, draped an arm over his shoulder, nudging him with a grin, "Years have gone by, and you're still the same. We've known each other for years; we're practically brothers, right?" "You rushing over to see Vivienne, got something important, huh? She's not around, but you can talk to me, I swear I won't breathe a word." Leopold probed with each phrase, unable to conceal his curiosity in his glittering eyes.

If there truly was news about Percival.

That would be the news of the century.

He was dying to know where Percival might be.

Draven glanced at him, feeling a disconnect in their conversation.

Leopold, puzzled by Draven's look, "What? Man, Vivienne really isn't here, you think I'd lie to you?" He turned only to be met with the sight of Vivienne's imposing figure in the foyer, causing him to choke, "Vivienne?" "When did you get back?" Vivienne gave him a deep look, "Just now." Leopold shivered under her gaze, feeling uneasy at the early morning scrutiny.

He swallowed nervously, glancing between Vivienne and Draven, "Is there something off about me?" Vivienne didn't beat around the bush, addressing Leopold directly in front of Draven, "Leopold, what happened with Juliette at school yesterday afternoon?" Leopold's heart skipped a beat, knowing he couldn't keep the incident from Vivienne.

"Vivienne, my bad, I should've watched Juliette more closely. I promise, it won't happen again, and I'll never mix up the kids' school schedules!" Vivienne pinched the bridge of her nose, "That's not what I'm asking." Leopold, confused, "Then what?" Vivienne's lips thinned, "You were the one who saved Juliette!" Leopold shook his head, "I was only a few steps away; Juliette dodged it herself." Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "She dodged on her own?" Leopold was certain, nodding vigorously, "If Juliette hadn't moved just in time, that car would've hit her... You have no idea, Vivienne, I was scared to death. Just thinking about it makesbreak out in a cold sweat." He paused, taking a breath.

"Vivienne, did Juliette have nightmares about it? I was worried this morning, you know how she hates nightmares." Vivienne's gaze softened, suggesting Leopold should check on the kids, "It's getting late; they should be up by now." Before leaving, Leopold shot Draven a look, wanting to dig for information but wary of Vivienne catching on.

He decided to step back, planning to inquire later.

Draven finally spoke, "Boss, the person assigned to guard the young miss and master did notice someone using abilities at the time. Could Leopold be intentionally hiding something..." "Leopold wouldn't." Vivienne's gaze returned to its usual calm.

She trusted Leopold, and she knew him well.

If he had known about Mr. Wolf's survival, he couldn't have remained soposed.

That left only one possibility.

Leopold hadn't seen "him" appear.

Of course.

If Mr. Wolf had intended to keep his presence a secret, especially from those familiar with him, he wouldn't have left any traces. Draven, hearing this, chose not to press further.

His loyalty was to Vivienne, and he wouldn't question those she trusted.

Vivienne steered the conversation back, "How did we lose track of him?" Draven reported, "Our people only caught a glimpse of a figure. By the tthey caught up, less than a minute later, the person had vanished. Without the ability to discern the use of powers, they had to let it go." en.kikistories Vivienne's eyes darkened, "How sure are you it was him?" Draven answered truthfully, "We can't be certain yet, but the timing and the ability to use powers suggest a high probability it's the person we've been searching for all these years." en.kikistories Vivienne responded coolly, "We've had similar situations over the years." Each time, the oue was disappointing.

For five years, she had spread herwork across the globe in search of him, each lead seemingly promising yet ultimately fruitless.

But...

Vivienne's gaze becintrospective.

If Mr. Wolf dared to hide right under her nose, playing a gof shadows with her.

When she finally found him, she would let him understand the fury she'd been suppressing all these years.

Her unresolved feelings weren't something a simple apology could mend.

No matter the reason.

She couldn't ive his sudden disappearance.

Thinking about it, Vivienne's gaze hardened, "Shift the investigation to Rivenwood. Find out where that person is hiding!" Draven, puzzled, said, "Boss, our guys havebed through Rivenwood already. If he was there all along, it's impossible there wouldn't be any trace of him. It's just not realistic." A cold smirk played on Vivienne's lips, "If someone wants to hide their identity, there are countless ways to do it." Especially if that someone is Mr. Wolf.

The one person who knew her strategies and thoughts better than anyone else.

If he wanted to disappear, a few years would be nothing to him.

But Mr. Wolf overlooked one thing.

And that was she would never stop looking for him.

She instructed Draven, "This person possesses special abilities. Whether or not he's the one we're looking for, we can't let him slip through." "Understood!" Draven, snapping to attention, turned and left.

He hadn't gotten far when a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Stop right there!" Leopold stepped out, blocking Draven's path, his eyes narrowing, "Draven, don't think I'm in the dark. know Vivienne has had you out searching for Percival's êx el.ne whereabouts.ing back att of a sudden, it has to do with Percival, am I right?" en.kikistories "If you want to know anything, go ask the boss yourself." Draven kept hisposure.

Leopold choked on his words.

If he dared to confront Vivienne directly, why would hee to him? "Is there really no news on Percival?"