The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 1026

For whatever reason, getting involved now just wasn't the best timing.

It all hinged on Anna making the next move.

Thinking back to the puzzled tone in Anna's voice over the phone, "Vivienne, this can't be happening..." she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Percival, seeing her furrowed brow, knew she was overthinking again. He reached out, gently pressed his thumb against her forehead, and soothed, "Vivienne, Anna's more than capable now, we don't need to worry about her."

Vivienne nodded in agreement.

That was the very reason she could let Anna investigate on her own; Anna had learned from the best - her.

To uncover the truth with her own hands, rather than through someone else's findings.

Returning home, Vivienne fell into a deep, unexpected nap that lasted till nightfall.

Waking up, it was too dark outside to see clearly.

Her phone had missed calls, none from Anna, but from Draven.

Sitting up, she redialed, "Draven?"

"The target, Declan, made his move."

Vivienne urged, "Go on."

"This afternoon, we caught him using shadow signals with his fingers under the light. But the gestures aren't in our decryption database. He's not talking either."

Vivienne's voice was stern, "Send me the surveillance footage."

"Right away."

The moment she hung up, the video arrived. As Draven described, Declan was indeed signally something.

But it wasn't a code; it was an old-world charm she'd encountered in her paranormal studies.

Translated, it meant, "For the greater good, eternal."

Vivienne's lips curled into a wry smile.

Declan's "greater good" was nothing but the delusions Abigail had fed him.

Yet, these mind games were beneath her.

Playing these tricks in front of her, whether to provoke or to bait, Abigail's endgame was surely the Millennium Aegis fragment.

As long as she held onto it, Abigail would have to come to her.

The door creaked open, and Mr. Wolf tiptoed in, holding a thermometer, his actions drawing a laugh from Vivienne.

She switched on the bedside lamp, and Percival turned to her, relieved, "I was about to rush you to the hospital if you didn't wake up."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, "A nap got you this worried?"

"A 'nap'? You've been out for six hours. I was worried sick."

Vivienne teased, "Are you saying I'm like a pig now? All eat and sleep?"

Percival kissed her gently, "I'm just glad you're well. It's comforting."

Her smile widened, a spark in her eyes. She playfully pulled him closer, "Mr. Wolf, it's been a while since we've been intimate. Don't you miss it?"

Percival hesitated, swept up in her tenderness, yet firmly stating, "In a month, Vivienne. Not now."

"Are you sure you can resist?"

As she spoke, her fingers danced over her blouse buttons, revealing more with each flick.

Percival caught her hand, "Vivienne, not now, please."

Holding a stack of clothes in her arms, Vivienne felt an unusual surge of happiness as she made her way towards the escalator leading up to the fourth floor of the shopping mall.

Just as she stepped onto the escalator, she glanced down on a whim. Her eyes suddenly narrowed.

She spun around quickly, making her way back.

Percival instinctively moved to protect her. "Vivienne, what's wrong?"

Vivienne frowned, "Mr. Wolf, it's Anna!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Percival looked down towards where Vivienne had gestured, but there was no sign of Anna.

Both their skills in recognizing people, a craft taught by their mentor Sasha, were unparalleled. They could spot a friend like Tobin even in a crowd hundreds of meters away.

But why would Anna be here?

Vivienne's frown deepened as she pulled out her phone to call Anna, only to be met with voicemail.

At this point, Percival couldn't help but feel wary, suspecting a setup.

He suggested, "Let's have Thomas tail her discreetly. It won't startle her."

Vivienne was about to agree when her phone vibrated. She glanced at it and raised her hand to stop Percival, "Hold off on Thomas, Mr. Wolf. Anna just texted me."

'I'm safe. No need to have anyone follow me. I'll explain everything once I have the results.'

Vivienne pocketed her phone, her expression serious.

What was Anna looking for?

Percival wrapped an arm around her, "Well, if that's the case, we'll wait for her to tell us herself."

Vivienne nodded in agreement.