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 Vivienne do what she’s

behind Vivienne, arms

he would be there

focused intently on the final pressure point, channeling all her energy into the tip of the needle and

Vivienne’s hand. Despite exerting all her strength, she

a hand on Vivienne’s

Sweat beaded on Vivienne’s forehead,

exhaled deeply, releasing all her

Another loud bang.

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

the Blue Infusion, Vivienne did not suffer shattered meridians, but she nearly passed

gold needle in her hand shattered into several pieces, scattering on

the impact, coughed up blood, feeling as

up, giving each a cup of Blue Infusion, which

are you alright?” Zelda’s

sickbed grew more labored, and with Vivienne and the others in such a state, Zelda felt helpless,

heal Uncle Yuri’s hand in a bit, don’t worry.

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

to the kitchen, and the

you holding up?” She

his right arm. “I’ll

“Mr. Wolf?”

Percival said, steadying his heartbeat and calming

but found herself completely drained. Sitting back down, she pulled out her phone

number had not changed; now that his staged death had

his voice had a hint of mischief, “Little girl, we

the fresh blood in her palm,

upon hearing Vivienne’s breath, “What’s

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

always easily resolved. However, this time, even