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."