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

behind Vivienne, arms outstretched in

he would be there to cushion

the final pressure point, channeling all her energy into

hand. Despite exerting all her strength,

Vivienne’s wrist, lending his

to resist with greater force. Sweat beaded

releasing

Another loud bang.

were repelled, Yuri dropping to his knees, the hand that had

support and the effects of the Blue Infusion, Vivienne did not

shattered into

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

up, giving each a cup of Blue Infusion, which offered a

on? What happened? Vivienne, are you

the others

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 Infusion right

to the kitchen, and the facade of

you holding up?”

arm. “I’ll survive,

“Mr. Wolf?”

his heartbeat

found herself completely drained. Sitting back down, she pulled

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

mischief, “Little girl, we agreed your

fresh blood in her palm, “The Perez

to seriousness upon hearing Vivienne’s breath,

but I can’t penetrate his

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