The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

When Maddox spoke of Diana, the disdain in his eyes was impossible to miss.

Vivienne blinked in confusion. “Wasn’t she just six years old at the time? How could she possibly be involved in my mother’s disappearance?”

Yuri leaned back into the sofa, his eyebrows knit together in concern. “Don’t be fooled by her age. She’s cunning. Even as a child, she knew how to compete for Dad’s affection, particularly against Sasha. I’ve seen her glaring at Sasha with such spite. And on the day Sasha vanished, nobody else was at home, just Sasha and Diana. When we returned, Diana was asleep in the garden, clutching one of Sasha’s sneakers.

She claimed Sasha had given them to her, but Sasha was ten at the time. How could her shoes possibly fit Diana? I’ve always suspected Diana saw whoever took Sasha, but she denies it. And why would they abduct Sasha and leave Diana? They were both from the Perez family; taking just one doesn’t make sense.”

The more Maddox spoke, the tighter his fists clenched. “And then there’s Willa. She was practically adopted by our family, about the same age as your mom, and she was supposed to be your future auntie through marriage with me. Everything was fine until she suddenly discovered she was a child of F-Poison. Before she found out, I had no idea.

Diana and Willa were thick as thieves, and I’ve always suspected that Diana spilled the beans to Willa. But Willa never admitted it and insisted on running away from home. She never even agreed to date me.”

Vivienne pressed her lips.

Not yet agreed to date Maddox, and Willa was already the future auntie?

But Willa, a child of F-Poison?

“Uncle, I’ve met F-Poison. It was a woman, quite young, a few years junior to Mr. Wolf. How could she be Auntie Willa’s mother?” Vivienne asked, puzzled.

Maddox shook his head. “The F-Poison I’m talking about is a man. If he’s still alive, he’d be older than your grandfather. The person you’re talking about isn’t the same.”

“Could it be that the title of F-Poison has been passed down? The F-Poison I’ve encountered and the one involved in my mom’s abduction aren’t the same person?”

“It’s possible. RST itself has split into two factions, CK and GTO. We always thought F-Poison would remain with CK since it’s been underground for years. But it seems he can’t let go of his vile virus research.”

Surprise flickered in Vivienne’s eyes. No wonder Flynn Ellington managed to strike a deal with GTO; they were all in the same camp.

She had underestimated Flynn.

F-Poison go? Does Flynn

with the current F-Poison, he must surely know

shook his head again. “Flynn only mentioned that F-Poison was his mentor. He did not say much else, stubborn as a mule. No wonder he calls

corrected himself. “I don’t mean Percival is a freak; it’s just anyone

roller coaster. Taking a moment to

disciple, he might know the truth about

few words of truth from him,

careful. I always feel that Flynn’s a bit twisted, unlike the other Ellingtons, who

I’ll be careful, Uncle. And you should be, too. If Diana is indeed up to something, then

a hunch that if Diana was involved, the bomb on the

a favor to ask of you, and you must help

me what it is. If I can help, I will. If not, we’ll get Percival to do it.

future auntie. I can’t

on

things love does to a

like her

I’ll help. Just give me all the information

Willa might be out there, hungry

by this woman who had captured the heart

could make Maddox so

Willa would not be easy. Having grown up in the Perez family, she must have learned a trick or two, and her ability to evade pursuit was

was going to have to wait a

the dead of night at the sprawling Perez Mansion, Diana slipped out quietly, fired up her

parked her car in the upscale neighborhood of Rivenwood in front of a

her headlights, and flicked on her flashlight, tapping on a front

announced with a hint of

open to reveal a brightly lit interior.Books Chapters Are