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.

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

Aurelia, had served the

to read

made no secret of their disdain for Calista, and Aurelia was more than willing to demonstrate

the herbs from

managed a strained smile. “Of

Aurelia called the family doctor before

fumed silently,

uninterested in the spectacle, followed Vivienne

the banister, Calista’s fists tightened as

was all because of

for Vivienne, she would not have suffered

herbs were harmless, Aurelia returned them

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

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

not working at 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

ousted from the company, but as

Calista, Richard had

After all, Calista was visiting under her friend’s name, yet he refused

family to

Calista had no choice

the entrance of the Ellington Mansion, Fiona saw Calista

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

clenched the box tightly, yet

we could have come

all that woman’s fault. If not for

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

…

within the secretive

blindfolded by Astrid to the heart of the

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

masked faces,

this is the Vivienne I’ve told you about. The