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.

Thomas and Leopold resignedly passed on the order for the Nightfall Assembly

Emerald Mountain apprentices followed

Vivienne, Percival, Thomas, and

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

with a smirk. “Mr. Wolf, we’ve

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

around has made

that, Vivienne and Percival

and Leopold exchanged

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

tossed the miniature bomb she’d acquired from Samantha and shouted,

move, grabbed her and

were a step behind but still dashed

“Boom!”

them, reducing the top-level secured villa to rubble in

refuge within

after medicating her, allowed her to reside

also ended up at

was well aware of Mara’s past deeds and would have refused them

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

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

snot smeared everywhere, and Cecilia felt a mix of

niece stupid or

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

Mara, thought that if she had acted like this earlier, without

so young, but now she somewhat regretted

for Vivienne and

Vivienne insisting on housing Mara and her brother, Cecilia wouldn’t even bear to

nodded quickly.

to Huxley and confirmed he

had been a constant presence in the room, tending to her brother with an unmistakable devotion. When the notorious F-Poison kidnapped him, she had thrown herself into the lion’s den without

it wasn’t long before Huxley stirred back

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

waking sent a wave of relief through Mara, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she pulled him into an embrace. “Huxley, oh, thank God you’re awake. I