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.

“Let Vivienne do what she’s decided;

stood behind Vivienne, arms outstretched

would be there to cushion the blow and reduce

pressure point, channeling all her energy

Vivienne’s hand. Despite

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

barrier seemed to resist with greater force. Sweat beaded on

releasing

Another loud bang.

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

of the Blue Infusion, Vivienne did

her hand shattered into several pieces, scattering on

had absorbed some of the impact, coughed up blood, feeling

helped them up, giving each a cup of Blue

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

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

a bit, don’t worry. Could

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

kitchen, and the facade of ease

how are you holding up?” She

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

“Mr. Wolf?”

steadying his heartbeat and

but found herself completely drained.

death had been exposed, he would not ignore

quickly, and his voice had a hint of mischief, “Little girl, we agreed your fiancé would cover that 80 million

blood

tone shifted to seriousness upon hearing

penetrate his heart with a needle. Something

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