The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Calista could imagine the frosty reception she would receive from the Ellington family, but she never expected to be met with such outright disdain.

Of course, it was all because of Vivienne!

“Grandpa, please keep it. Don’t disregard Calista’s thoughtful gesture,” Fiona chimed in, playing peacemaker, and managed to diffuse some of the awkwardness.

Cecilia scoffed disdainfully, eyeing Calista with contempt. “Calista, my father already has a Specter Healer’s bracelet, a gift from our dear Vivienne. Your little present is redundant at the moment.”

Calista’s heart skipped a beat.

Specter Healer!

How did Vivienne come to possess something from the elusive Specter Healer?

The entire medical community knew of Specter Healer’s enigmatic reputation, never leaving a trace. How could they have possibly left something personal behind?

Where did Vivienne acquire it?

What infuriated Calista even more was the fact that Vivienne dared to give away something as coveted as a Specter Healer artifact!

Those were treasures she could only dream of obtaining!

As Calista grappled with shock, Cecilia’s smirk widened.

“Come on, Vivienne, let’s go have some fun,” Cecilia said, pulling her away.

Vivienne did not resist, allowing Cecilia to lead her off, only sparing Fiona a fleeting glance as she passed.

Fiona suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, unsettled by the penetrating gaze of Vivienne’s eyes. She felt she had been seen through for some inexplicable reason.

It was not until Vivienne and Cecilia had ascended the staircase that Fiona’s shiver subsided.

She could not shake the feeling that she had seen those eyes somewhere before.

Percival stood up, briefly glancing at the herbs in Calista’s hands.

“Aurelia, make sure to properly inspect anything brought into

staff, especially Aurelia, had served the Ellingtons for over forty

how to read the Ellingtons’

Calista, and

promptly took the herbs from Calista. “Please let me inspect

her cheeks burn with embarrassment, managed a strained smile.

the family

fumed silently,

uninterested in the spectacle, followed

tightened as she

all because of

been for Vivienne, she

the family doctor confirmed the herbs were harmless, Aurelia returned them to

Calista and placed

is a token of Calista’s respect for your birthday. You can’t just turn it away,

can’t just loaf around and bring troublemakers around. I’m tired. It’s time for you to go,” Richard grunted, tossing the box

yesterday, Fiona had been ousted from the company, but as Richard’s granddaughter, he

as for Calista, Richard had no such

visiting under her friend’s name, yet he refused to show

family to have them so entirely under

dismissed them, Fiona and Calista had no choice but

Ellington Mansion, Fiona saw

“Fiona, I’m sorry for the trouble

fingers clenched the box tightly,

worry, it’s not your fault. If only we could have come sooner,” Fiona said,

blame Mr. Ellington. It’s all that woman’s fault. If not for her, Richard would have never treated us

few words, the blame was squarely placed on Vivienne’s shoulders, as if by mutual unspoken

…

within the secretive

Astrid to the heart

blindfold, “Welcome to our lab. These are all

masked

Vivienne I’ve told you about. The