The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 9

Vivienne returned to her own bedroom and walked to the window, her expression extremely serious. She thought about the little girl she had just saved at the entrance of the mall, her brow furrowed tightly.

She had spotted it instantly. The girl was poisoned, and not just by any poison but a potent one concocted by her own mother that could mutilate the face if it took effect. Before her mom passed, someone had come to snatch the formula for the poison. It had taken her years to figure out the antidote.

Vivienne tapped her fingers lightly against the window sill, deep in thought. Time was running out for the girl. Who in the world took the poison formula, and why on earth would they poison a kid?

Vivienne ceased her tapping, pulled out her phone and dialed Matthew.

“Can you check if any hospital admitted a five–year–old girl with sores all over her face today?”

Matthew responded with a quick “okay” and hung up. Vivienne leaned against the window with her phone in hand, waiting quietly. About half an hour later, Matthew called back, “Found her. She’s in the VIP ward in Havenwood Hospital’s internal medicine department.”

“Alright, got it.”

Two days later.

Vivienne arrived at Havenwood Hospital. As she got out of the cab and walked into the hospital, a black sedan zoomed past her.

Inside the car, Percival caught sight of Vivienne in the rear–view mirror. His eyes narrowed instantly, “Stop the car.”

Thomas hit the brakes hard, sending everyone lurching forward. He turned to ask, “What’s up, Mr. Ellington?”

Percival didn’t answer. He didn’t even wait for Thomas to help him with his wheelchair. He just opened the car door and got out. He scanned the crowd, for the figure he saw earlier but couldn’t find her.

Leopold got out of the car and walked up to him, asking, “What’s going on?”

Percival withdrew his gaze, “Nothing, let’s go.”

the other side.

the ward door, looking at the

much better after taking her medicine. Vivienne rested her hand on the doorknob, debating whether to go

were complicated, and she needed to remain low–key. But the thought of the little girl’s bright, clear eyes gave her pause. If only someone had helped her ten years ago, she wouldn’t have had to watch her mother die right before her eyes. She couldn’t bear the thought of the

her eyes sparkling as she grabbed Vivienne’s hand, feeling very delighted. She’d caught a glimpse

holding hers, then up into Isolde’s clear eyes. Her heart was inexplicably

said excitedly, tugging at Vivienne’s hand. “Miss, can we

by her,

looked surprised to see Vivienne, “Ms.

some things and

poured Vivienne a glass of

to Isolde, “I’m here to check

nodded, smiling, “Great.”

demeanor left Eartha stunned. Because Isolde always hated it when doctors examined her. She’d only behave a little when Percival was around, but as soon as he left, no one could touch her. Yet now, she was voluntarily extending her hand to Ms. Hawthorn, so well–behaved it was unbelievable. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, Eartha would’ve thought she

to check her pulse. After a moment, Vivienne’s brow furrowed deeply and her complexion grew increasingly grim.

had taken her medicine, the poison had already infiltrated her organs. Some of the toxins

a twinge of worry, “Is our

out to stroke Isolde’s head, speaking softly, “I can cure your disease, but it might be a little painful. Are you

my face go back to the way it

“Yes.”

I’m not scared.” Isolde said seriously, “As long as you’re here, I’m

one condition. You can’t tell anyone I’m treating you, not even your

Better play

Chapter 9

her

then turned to

was just a nanny, and she couldn’t make such decisions