The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Just two steps out the door, and Percival’s deep voice halted him. “Come back.”

Thomas froze mid-stride, protesting, “Percival, if we don’t chase her down now, it’ll be too late. We can’t let Samantha get away again.”

Percival helped Vivienne to her feet, casting a dismissive glance at Thomas. “We’re withdrawing!”

“But…”

Before Thomas could finish, Percival shot him a look that silenced him immediately.

Thomas couldn’t understand why! With so many of them against one, couldn’t they snatch Samantha from that person’s grasp?

Leopold was just as baffled, but he could sense the strength in their adversary. Maybe Percival’s reluctance to pursue was because their lives were more valuable than capturing one Samantha.

The Nine Mystics Society didn’t take orders from Percival.

Draven, looking toward Vivienne, inquired, “Young Master, shall we withdraw?”

Vivienne pulled two life-saving pills from her pocket, handing one to Percival and swallowing the other herself.

After ingesting her pill, she instructed Draven, “Everyone withdraw. Starting today, the Nine Mystics Society is on lockdown. No one leaves. Prepare our defenses.”

Her words left Thomas and Leopold in a fog.

Samantha had escaped, and rather than chasing her down, they were ordered to prepare the Nine Mystics Society for defense.

What did this mean?

Draven, long accustomed to Vivienne’s commands, understood her immediately, and with a grave expression, he confirmed, “Understood, Young Master. I’ll initiate Level 2 Defense immediately.”

Thomas and Leopold were utterly confused.

Level 2 Defense? What was that? Was there a fight brewing?

The apprentices from Emerald Mountain didn’t question it; they trusted that Vivienne had her reasons.

Draven led the Nine Mystics Society members away without another word.

and Leopold resignedly passed on the order for

Emerald Mountain

Percival, Thomas,

life-saving pill was working its magic on Vivienne, rapidly healing her. This was the new and improved version she had recently developed, with the help of research from ST-1,

to Percival with a smirk. “Mr. Wolf, we’ve

his stern face showing no sign of anger over Samantha’s escape, and

All this running around has made

Vivienne and Percival

Leopold exchanged looks

Vivienne glanced back with a soft sigh, “Such

bomb she’d acquired

her move, grabbed her and

behind but still dashed

“Boom!”

explosion and a burst of flames erupted behind them, reducing the top-level secured villa to rubble in the blink of an

refuge within

Vivienne, who, after medicating her, allowed her to reside with the

ended up at the Ellington

deeds and would have refused them entry,

by and seeing Huxley, who had passed out upon arrival and was still bedridden, collapsed

I only did those things because I was threatened. My sister-in-law has already punished me. She’s medicated me, and from now on, I’ll listen to whatever she says and turn over a new

and snot smeared everywhere, and Cecilia felt a mix

her niece stupid or

F-Poison, and the

down at Mara, thought that if she had acted like this earlier, without causing trouble for Vivienne or indulging in crooked schemes,

to feel pity for Mara, orphaned so young, but now she somewhat regretted ever taking her

diligently for Vivienne and drop those crooked schemes,” Cecilia

Mara and her brother, Cecilia

nodded quickly.

doctor attended to Huxley and confirmed he was fine,

to her brother with an unmistakable devotion. When the notorious F-Poison kidnapped him, she had thrown herself into

wasn’t long

the sight of Mara, he seemed momentarily dazed before his voice, hoarse and weak,

tears as she pulled