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.

the order for the Nightfall

Mountain apprentices followed

Percival,

on Vivienne, rapidly healing her. This was the new and improved version she had recently developed, with the help of research from

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

anger over Samantha’s escape, and he smiled. “Indeed, we have. Let’s head back

All this running around has made

that, Vivienne and Percival

exchanged looks

the villa, Vivienne glanced back with a soft sigh, “Such

the miniature bomb she’d acquired from Samantha

anticipating her move, grabbed her and sprinted

and Leopold were a step behind but still dashed away

“Boom!”

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

refuge within

still had uses for Vivienne, who, after medicating her, allowed her

thus, Huxley also ended up at the

them entry, but with just

aunt close by and seeing Huxley, who had passed out upon arrival and was

threatened. My sister-in-law has already punished me. She’s medicated me, and from now on,

and snot smeared everywhere, and Cecilia

niece stupid

to her legs. “Auntie, my mother was killed by F-Poison, and the Boyd family is no more. Everything I did

thought that if she had acted like this earlier, without causing trouble for

so young,

up. From now on, work diligently for Vivienne and drop those crooked schemes,” Cecilia

housing Mara and her brother, Cecilia

quickly. “I

Huxley and confirmed

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

left, it wasn’t long

the sight of Mara, he seemed momentarily dazed before his

a wave of relief through Mara, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she pulled him into an embrace.