The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival casually snapped off a twig and flicked away the power line in his path. Thankfully, he was in the garden; otherwise, he would have had to endure a jolt of electricity.

But Finnian’s test was not something to be taken lightly.

No sooner had Percival tossed aside the twig than a snake, tongue flickering, shot towards him along the branch.

That did it. Percival was livid. He grabbed the snake by its body and slammed it to the ground.

But as he did, something felt off.

Why was this snake so light?

Frowning, he glanced back at the pit he had passed and the discarded power line.

He decided to shut his eyes, ignoring anything else he might touch or sense.

Thirty seconds later, Percival reached the garden fence. With a firm kick, the fence collapsed. Only then did he open his eyes and turn to see that there was neither pit nor snake—just projections from a high-tech projector!

Finnian possessed the same kind of cutting-edge projector that Karen had been researching!

Percival’s gaze sharpened, and some thoughts in his mind were now confirmed beyond doubt.

The only problem was the lack of evidence.

Stepping over the fallen fence, he approached the villa’s main gate.

With the delay, Finnian was long gone.

Percival exhaled a sigh of resignation. When Vivienne woke up, she was going to be furious.

He would have to think of a way to sweet-talk her.

As he was about to head back, he heard a loud noise behind him. It was Vivienne!

“Vivienne, you’re awake,” Percival exclaimed, relieved. If Vivienne was up, the eight still out cold would get an earful, not him.

Vivienne nodded. “A little trick like that won’t fool me. Did you catch him?”

“No, Finnian was too fast. I couldn’t keep up.”

800 billion!” Vivienne said with a vengeful tone before slipping

gave Vivienne a once-over.

flopped onto the couch, half-sinking into it, and sighed,

a

from the cabinet and poured two glasses, her eyes

her leg and hooked Percival’s, her lips glistening in the dim light,

do you want me to sit in your

rolled up his

in the next instant, Percival had flicked her leg aside, and his elbow came down

shattered, and Vivienne found

was no hint of flirtation, only threat and

the hell

their luster, like a light suddenly

only realized the truth when he lifted the person beneath

It was a robot!

was astounded. How could a robot be indistinguishable from

read, [Congratulations, you’ve passed the second trial. This is your

scroll in his hand, Percival

another of

it a test of

desired. If he felt nothing for Vivienne,

her bedroom, where the real Vivienne was still sound

was indeed strong; even Vivienne had

his immunity was part of this so-called

leaning against the robot

Rivenwood, Finnian relaxed on a sun lounger while

like he knew from the start

pleased with Percival’s performance in the second

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lips in a silent smile, seemingly privy

robot in a nearby room. “Aren’t you worried about

for this. Better to send it out now than have her fooled later