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.

head at Yuri and said, “Let Vivienne

spoke, he stood behind Vivienne,

be there to cushion the

energy into the tip of the needle and thrusting it down

Despite exerting all her strength, she could not

on Vivienne’s wrist, lending his strength

resist with greater force. Sweat beaded on Vivienne’s forehead, and even Yuri

exhaled deeply, releasing all her

Another loud bang.

the hand that had touched Vivienne’s wrist throbbing with pain

to Percival’s support and the effects of the Blue Infusion, Vivienne did not suffer shattered

hand shattered into several pieces, scattering on

the impact, coughed up blood, feeling as if his internal organs had

cup of Blue

Vivienne, are you alright?” Zelda’s eyes were red

the sickbed grew more labored, and with Vivienne and the others

reached out and took Zelda’s hand. “I’m fine. I’ll heal Uncle Yuri’s hand in a bit, don’t worry. Could you please brew another pot of Blue Infusion? Grandpa might

don’t exert yourself anymore. I’ll go make the Blue

and the facade of ease vanished from Vivienne’s

are you holding up?” She

his right arm. “I’ll survive, it’s

“Mr. Wolf?”

Percival said, steadying his heartbeat and

the sweat from her brow and tried to stand but found herself completely

staged death had been exposed,

of mischief, “Little girl, we agreed

the fresh blood in her palm, “The

shifted to seriousness upon hearing

but I can’t penetrate his

situations before, but they were always easily resolved. However, this time, even her