The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

After hanging up the call, Vivienne stormed into Finnian’s room, where other eight disciples were sprawled out, sleeping like logs. With a swift kick, she woke them from their slumber.

Dawson was the first to come to his senses, groggily nudging Jerry beside him. “Get up, man. We’ve gotta settle the score with Finnian.”

The group roused themselves one by one, taking in their surroundings and falling silent for a few seconds…

“Where the heck is Finnian?!”

Vivienne grabbed a magazine from the table and gave each of them a thwack on the head. “By the time you lot figure it out, Finnian will have skipped town!”

Dawson rubbed his sore head and pointed accusingly at Percival. “Vivienne, why aren’t you hitting him?”

Without missing a beat, Vivienne delivered another smack to Dawson. “He’s my man. Think you can measure up?”

Percival smirked smugly at the others, his expression just begging for a punch.

But what could they do? After all, he was Vivienne’s man.

The disciples collectively groaned, a chorus of shattered hearts.

After a round of scolding, Vivienne pointed toward the garden outside, “Go fix that fence and then frog hop around the villa ten times. No dinner until it’s done!”

“Vivienne, can we make it five laps?” Gary begged with puppy eyes.

Vivienne shot him a look that could freeze fire. “You, fifteen laps!”

Hearing that, the other disciples scattered like the wind. Fifteen laps were no joke!

Vivienne sighed heavily. “What’s the use of having all these guys if they can’t even keep an eye on an old man?”

Percival took Vivienne’s hand. “Let’s go. Now that Finnian’s made an appearance, he won’t hide again. We’ll have plenty of time to deal with him later.”

“Alright.”

Halfway out, Percival glanced at Vivienne, his lips pressed in query, “You didn’t notice Finnian drugging you yesterday?”

the question, Vivienne’s gaze sharpened, a

had

an eyebrow. “Finnian’s reputation is

really looked into Finnian’s capabilities, but he must be skilled if he could handle Vivienne

slightly, her tone casual yet firm.

puzzled.

sly smile, her captivating eyes shimmering with an enigmatic light.

just

best in medicine, but she was certainly not

it came

the car, Vivienne received a

in

silence, she answered.

come over? My

of unprecedented panic surged in Vivienne’s heart, “I’m

pedal, driving straight to the

and into the house, where Yuri and Zelda greeted

Vivienne asked

remain composed, saying, “This morning, Dad was fine, walking Natalia and

that flared up once

warnings in the past, but this time,

injury did Grandpa suffer from before?” Vivienne

deciding to reveal the truth. “Dad got word of a sighting of Sasha near Fariana Isle. When he arrived,

the complexity

bedroom, where the family doctor, a renowned heart surgeon named Keegan, was treating him. Vivienne had studied his work during her

stepped in, asking, “Professor

Vivienne. “Not good, and there’s something odd. His breathing is stable, but his heartbeat is erratic, occasionally stopping completely. It’s

a look.” Vivienne approached,

her youth; instead, he stepped back to let

deepened as she felt Jasper’s pulse. It was almost imperceptible,

This was medically impossible.

Keegan. “Professor Keegan, could you please prepare