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 do what she’s decided;

he spoke, he stood behind Vivienne, arms outstretched in a protective

again, he would be there

intently on the final pressure point, channeling all her energy into

halted the needle in Vivienne’s hand. Despite exerting all her strength, she could

Yuri placed a hand on Vivienne’s wrist,

beaded on Vivienne’s forehead, and even Yuri began

releasing all

Another loud bang.

the hand that had

and the effects of the Blue Infusion, Vivienne did not suffer shattered meridians,

needle in her hand shattered into several

Percival, who had absorbed some of the impact, coughed up

cup of Blue Infusion, which

going on? What happened? Vivienne, are you alright?” Zelda’s eyes were

others in such a state, Zelda felt helpless, her

I’ll heal Uncle Yuri’s hand in a bit, don’t worry. Could you please brew another pot of Blue Infusion? Grandpa

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

kitchen, and the facade of ease vanished from Vivienne’s

you holding up?” She

gripped his right arm. “I’ll survive, it’s

“Mr. Wolf?”

steadying his

her brow and tried to stand but found herself completely drained. Sitting

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

fresh blood in

to seriousness upon

collapsed, but I can’t penetrate his heart with

were always easily resolved. However, this time, even her