The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Diana locked eyes with Vesper and felt a sudden tightness in her chest. Guilt washed over her, and she quickly averted her gaze, scurrying back to her room.

Once inside, she realized she was drenched in a cold sweat, her fear palpable.

Then, the itch started. She scratched furiously, but it brought no relief. It felt as if a million tiny bugs were crawling over her skin.

Soon after, a bone-chilling cold enveloped her as if she had plunged into an icy cavern.

Outside, Vivienne withdrew her hand, her cheeks as cool and expressionless as a winter’s dawn.

She had not outright killed Diana because something about the situation perplexed her. In this world, there was only one kind of poison that could elude her senses—Karen’s poison.

And yet, Diana had somehow managed to get her hands on it.

Vesper, too, pulled back in silence.

Though it was not time to strike a lethal blow, ensuring Diana suffered a little was within Vesper’s means.

Feeling the cold grip of winter amid the height of summer certainly had a certain appeal.

“Vivienne, I will get to the bottom of this. Your suffering won’t be in vain,” Jasper said, his features etched with concern.

Even if he trusted Diana would not do such a thing, it did not mean the juice Vivienne had been served was not poisonous.

Vivienne would never lie, and Vesper would not have forced the poison out without good reason.

“Grandpa, don’t worry about me, I’m fine.” Vivienne’s smile was a feeble attempt to ease his worry. She would handle this herself.

“Dad, let me help you back inside. Mr. Linklater was supposed to—hey, where did Mr. Linklater go?” Yuri looked around, perplexed by Vesper’s sudden disappearance.

Vivienne turned, and sure enough, Vesper had vanished without a trace!

She had been unguarded last time, but this time, she was on high alert, and he still managed to slip away.

Jasper suddenly realized he had not heard Finnian’s voice in a while. He turned around to find nothing but a grinning face carved onto an old banyan tree.

“That old codger, I’ll get him one of these days!” Finnian cursed.

“Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll

purpose, she set off in pursuit. She had planted a tracker on Vesper, and now

when Vivienne reached the crossroads, she discovered the tracker

her eyes, she saw that together, the locations spelled

[Frost, you’re still green!]

wall, creating

nowhere near as powerful as her mother yet. She had to train

day, she would catch

shadows, Finnian gasped in awe, turning to Vesper and saying, “You’re done for. Your

Finnian. “No worries. It’s you who won’t have a single

Finnian that although Vivienne could

like daughter!” Finnian

smile deepened. “Finnian, I learned from the

pressing matters to attend to—Diana had made contact with GTO, and

Meanwhile, at Vanguard Agency.

bold title stared back at him, reflecting

moment, he rose from his chair and made his way to the director’s

picture of surprise when he saw the papers in

you want to do this?” Vance frowned, searching Percival’s eyes for a hint

But there was none.

gaze was icy as he affirmed, “Yes,

on the desk, Vance paced

realize what you’re doing? I know you have issues with me, and you’re still sore over Leopold’s

accusingly at Percival,

was a rare talent with a strategic mind and a commendable record in the field. He was the youngest

now, he wanted to

that was not

clear in his eyes. “My decision

If Percival were his apprentice, he would have slapped him by

you’re just walking away? All because

as if nothing

with my mentor’s issues and GTO in my own way. As for Micah,

crossing his face. He could not quite grasp what Percival was

began to speak in a measured tone, “What exactly are you