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.

this, Thomas and Leopold resignedly passed on the order for the Nightfall

Emerald Mountain apprentices

only Vivienne, Percival,

and improved version

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

took her hand, his stern face showing no sign of anger over Samantha’s escape, and he

around has

Vivienne and

and Leopold exchanged

with a soft sigh, “Such a beautiful house, what a

bomb

her move, grabbed her and

a step behind but still dashed

“Boom!”

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

refuge within the Ellington

had uses for Vivienne, who, after medicating her,

also ended

past deeds and would have refused them

by and seeing Huxley, who had passed out upon arrival and was still bedridden, collapsed at Cecilia’s feet, sobbing

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

smeared everywhere, and

stupid or just plain

Cecilia silent, Mara clung to her legs. “Auntie, my mother was killed by F-Poison, and

she had acted like this earlier, without causing trouble for Vivienne or indulging in crooked

orphaned so young, but

on, work diligently for Vivienne and drop those crooked schemes,”

her brother, Cecilia wouldn’t even bear to look

quickly.

doctor attended to Huxley and confirmed he

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

wasn’t long before Huxley stirred

at the sight of Mara, he seemed momentarily dazed before his voice, hoarse and weak, managed to utter,

of relief through Mara, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she pulled him into