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.

when he abruptly spoke, “Aurelia, make sure to properly inspect anything brought into the Ellington home from now on. We

had served the Ellingtons for over

precisely how to read the Ellingtons’

made no secret of their disdain for Calista, and Aurelia was more

took the herbs from Calista. “Please let

burn with embarrassment, managed a strained smile.

the family doctor before

fumed silently, forced

the spectacle,

Calista’s fists tightened as she watched his retreating

all because

not been for Vivienne, she would not have

herbs were harmless,

recovering from the snub, Fiona sat next to Calista and placed the box of herbs

birthday. You can’t just turn it away,

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

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

as for Calista, Richard had

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

family

Fiona and Calista had no

of the Ellington

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

clenched the box tightly, yet

not your fault. If only we could have come sooner,”

fault. If not for her, Richard would

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

…

the secretive Rivenwood research

by Astrid to the heart of

we are.” Astrid removed the blindfold, “Welcome to our lab. These

her surroundings: masked faces, white lab coats,

about. The perfume formula that I brought back?