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.

his head at Yuri and said, “Let Vivienne do what she’s decided; no one should

Vivienne, arms outstretched

he would be there to cushion the blow and reduce the

channeling all her energy

hand. Despite exerting all her strength, she could not

Vivienne’s wrist, lending

force. Sweat beaded on

deeply, releasing all her

Another loud bang.

and Yuri were repelled, Yuri dropping to his knees, the hand that had touched Vivienne’s

effects of the Blue Infusion,

needle in her hand shattered into several pieces,

coughed up blood, feeling as if his internal organs had

a cup

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

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

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

nodded vigorously, wiping away her tears. “Vivienne, don’t exert yourself anymore.

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

how are you holding up?”

arm.

“Mr. Wolf?”

good,” Percival said, steadying his heartbeat and calming his

her brow and tried to stand but found herself completely drained. Sitting back down, she pulled out her phone

his staged death had been exposed, he would not

a hint of mischief, “Little girl, we agreed your fiancé would cover that 80 million debt.

the fresh blood in

shifted to seriousness upon hearing Vivienne’s breath, “What’s going

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

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