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.

greet Percival when he abruptly spoke, “Aurelia, make sure to properly inspect anything brought into the Ellington home from now on. We can’t just accept things

had served the Ellingtons

how to read the

and Aurelia was more than

from Calista. “Please let me inspect

cheeks burn with embarrassment, managed a

called the family doctor before Calista to

fumed silently, forced to

the spectacle, followed

the banister, Calista’s fists tightened as

was all

been for Vivienne, she would not have suffered

family doctor confirmed the herbs were harmless, Aurelia returned them

Calista and placed the box of

respect for your birthday. You can’t just turn it away, right? Please accept

and bring troublemakers

been ousted from the company, but as Richard’s

Richard had no such

expect Richard to be so unyielding. After all, Calista was visiting under her friend’s name, yet he refused to show a shred

spell had Vivienne cast upon the Ellington family to have them

Richard dismissed them, Fiona and Calista had

Ellington Mansion,

pressed her lips, apologizing, “Fiona, I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve

fingers clenched the box tightly, yet her face remained

we could have come sooner,” Fiona said, her head bowed in

It’s all that woman’s fault. If not

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

…

secretive

Astrid to the

“Welcome to our

took in her surroundings: masked

The perfume formula that I brought