The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne steadied herself, gently easing Percival’s hand away.

Approaching Jasper again, she listened to his strained breathing, her expression growing more serious by the moment.

Taking a deep breath, Vivienne raised the needle in her hand and aimed for Jasper’s pressure point.

Bang!

Vivienne was sent flying, her speed so swift that even Percival could not intercept her in time, barely managing to grasp her hand.

“Vivienne!” Percival half-knelt on the ground, cradling the fallen Vivienne in his arms and propping her against his leg.

A gush of dark blood surged from Vivienne’s lips, her complexion turning deathly pale.

Yuri hurried over, pressing down on the heel of Vivienne’s hand with vigor.

“Vivienne, feeling any better?” Yuri asked with concern.

Vivienne nodded, standing up with the support of Percival’s hand, a flash of disbelief in her eyes.

She had failed to administer the needle?

What could possibly be the reason?

What on earth was hiding inside Jasper’s body?

“I’ll try again.” Vivienne was determined; her skills would not fail her now!

Percival, Yuri, and Zelda all tried to dissuade her, worried for her safety. “Vivienne, don’t try again.”

“Yeah, Vivienne, let me figure something out. If it happens again, your meridians could shatter.”

“Vivienne, take a seat and rest. Drink this; it will help balance your energy pathways.” Zelda handed her a cup filled with blue water.

Recognizing the extremely rare Blue Infusion, Vivienne took the cup and drank it down, saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of myself. Grandpa is more important.”

With that, Vivienne stepped forward once more. Yuri tried to stop her, but Percival raised a hand.

said, “Let

spoke, he stood behind Vivienne, arms outstretched

repelled again, he would be there to cushion the blow and reduce

her energy into the

hand. Despite exerting all her strength,

Yuri placed a hand on Vivienne’s wrist, lending his strength to

resist with greater force. Sweat beaded on Vivienne’s

releasing all her

Another loud bang.

Yuri dropping to his knees, the hand that had touched Vivienne’s wrist throbbing with pain as if

Infusion, Vivienne did not suffer

hand shattered into several pieces,

Percival, who had absorbed some of the impact, coughed up blood, feeling as if his

cup of Blue

are you alright?” Zelda’s eyes

and the others in such a state, Zelda felt

hand. “I’m fine. I’ll heal Uncle Yuri’s hand in a bit, don’t worry. Could you please brew another

nodded vigorously, wiping away her tears. “Vivienne, don’t exert yourself anymore. I’ll go make the

kitchen, and the facade of ease

you holding up?”

arm. “I’ll survive, it’s

“Mr. Wolf?”

said, steadying his heartbeat

and tried to stand but found herself completely

now that his staged death had been exposed, he would not ignore or

answered quickly, and his voice had a hint of mischief, “Little girl, we agreed your fiancé would cover that 80

fresh blood in her palm,

to seriousness upon hearing Vivienne’s

collapsed, but I can’t penetrate his heart with a needle. Something is blocking

encountered such situations before, but they were always easily resolved. However, this time, even her needle had snapped!Books