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

She stood at the

better after taking her medicine. Vivienne rested

Her mother’s affairs 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

hesitating, the ward door opened. “Miss, is that you? Are you here to see me?” Isolde asked, her eyes sparkling as she grabbed Vivienne’s hand, feeling very delighted. She’d caught a glimpse of someone outside the ward who resembled the lady who’d saved her, so she

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

come to see me,” Isolde said excitedly, tugging at Vivienne’s hand. “Miss, can we

her,

to see Vivienne, “Ms. Hawthorn?”

care of some things and saw

quickly poured Vivienne a glass of

then turned to Isolde, “I’m here to check on

nodded, smiling, “Great.”

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,

placed her hand on Isolde’s wrist and used the medical knowledge she possessed to check her pulse. After a moment, Vivienne’s brow furrowed deeply and her

Some of the toxins had been cleared, but her damaged organs

worry, “Is our young miss okay, Ms. Hawthorn?”

pressed together. She reached out to stroke Isolde’s head, speaking softly, “I can cure your disease,

my face go

“Yes.”

Isolde said seriously, “As long as you’re

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

Better play it

Chapter 9

Isolde patted her chest

to

a little troubled. She was just a nanny, and she couldn’t make such decisions