The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

F-Poison narrowed her eyes, her voice dropping to a serious growl. “What do you mean? Did this guy named Vesper save Vivienne, or because of him, you couldn’t drop the poison?”

F-Poison’s rare display of emotion took Diana aback. “Yeah, it was Vesper who saved Vivienne.”

She relayed the details of Vivienne’s rescue by Vesper, which she had meant to share before, but F-Poison had seemed disinterested.

However, upon hearing the story, F-Poison’s gaze turned gravely serious. “Are you sure that this Vesper guy stepped in after Vivienne drank the juice?”

“Yeah, what’s the big deal?” Diana asked, perplexed.

F-Poison usually had little change in expression, whether it was committing arson or enjoying a fondue as if nothing mattered to her. But this time, Diana could see the weight in her thoughts.

After a moment, F-Poison let out a sardonic laugh, her eyes lifting to meet Diana’s. “Go see Flynn again.”

Diana’s surprise was clear. “But we agreed on only one visit. How can I keep coming up with excuses to see him?”

“No matter the excuse, you must see him, Diana. If you want to stay in the Perez family, it’s essential,” F-Poison said, standing up, a dangerous aura enveloping her.

Swallowing hard, Diana pressed, “Can’t you tell me why?”

A sly smile played on F-Poison’s lips. “Sasha might be coming back.”

Diana shot up. “What are you talking about? That’s impossible! Didn’t you say she was dead?”

The solemnity had vanished from F-Poison’s face, replaced with mockery. “Dead doesn’t mean she can’t come back. Sasha’s a clever one. You should be glad she remembers nothing.”

“What do I do? One Vivienne is trouble enough, now with Sasha possibly returning? No, she cannot come back!”

Pacing in front of F-Poison, Diana was in a panic. “Right, I must see Flynn. He’s F-Poison’s apprentice, so he must know the details of Sasha’s disappearance and how to deal with her.”

grabbed her

her go, a quiet chuckle escaping

excuses, knowing that asking to see Flynn would raise suspicions within the

Dracon of the Linklater family. Even though they were uninvolved with CK, they had connections to GTO, and Yorick had once fought alongside Jasper in

Dracon could ask about Flynn in Yorick’s name, it would not seem

that thought, Diana dialed

to call so late?” Dracon’s voice held a

you’re still awake? Waiting for my call, perhaps?” Diana’s voice was soft

feelings for Diana, and her words only added to

been waiting for your call for

chuckled shyly. “There’s a favor I need

are mine,” Dracon replied without

Diana explained her

“Why do you need to see Flynn? And why

If I had not fallen asleep, things might’ve been different. He says

added, “You know my older brothers don’t

yourself. You were only a child. Don’t worry, I’ll help

Dracon,” Diana said, her voice catching

word, Dracon visited the Perez family the next day

and Jasper consented

bother with Linklater family affairs. Why the sudden interest?” Yuri

and two younger siblings who were pillars of their nation, especially the eldest, whom Yuri greatly admired. Dracon was the

didn’t want to marry him back then, but now they’re still somehow entangled. Plus, I don’t like Dracon much, so Yorick and I both don’t agree to this marriage, yet the two

you’re mistaken. It’s a classic case of playing hard to get. Who knows

bowl, and lobbed it at Maddox. “Hard to get, huh? Well, don’t you know it all? So why