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

Vivienne, arms outstretched in

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

all her energy into the tip of the needle and thrusting

hand. Despite exerting all her strength, she could

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

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

releasing all her

Another loud bang.

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

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

in her hand shattered into several pieces,

some of the impact, coughed up

helped them up, giving each a cup of Blue Infusion, which offered a slight

Vivienne, are you alright?” Zelda’s

Vivienne and the others in such a state, Zelda felt helpless, her only recourse being

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

“Vivienne, don’t exert

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

you holding up?” She

his right arm.

“Mr. Wolf?”

Percival said, steadying his heartbeat and calming his

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

number had not changed; now that his staged death had been exposed, he would not ignore or reject

a hint of mischief, “Little girl, we

fresh blood in her palm, “The Perez

tone shifted to seriousness upon

grandpa collapsed, but I can’t penetrate his heart

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