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.

passed on the order for the Nightfall Assembly to retreat

Mountain apprentices followed

only Vivienne, Percival, Thomas,

and improved version

a smirk. “Mr. Wolf, we’ve failed

sign of anger over Samantha’s escape,

around has made

that, Vivienne and Percival headed

exchanged looks before

glanced back with a soft sigh, “Such

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

anticipating her move, grabbed her

step behind but still dashed away at

“Boom!”

explosion and a burst of flames erupted behind them, reducing the

refuge

after medicating her, allowed her to reside

Huxley also ended up at the Ellington

of Mara’s past deeds and would have refused them entry, but with just a

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

She’s medicated me, and from now on, I’ll listen

and Cecilia felt a

niece stupid or just plain

and the Boyd family is no

down at Mara, thought that if she had acted like this earlier, without causing trouble for Vivienne or indulging in crooked schemes, she wouldn’t be in this

feel pity for Mara, orphaned so young, but now she somewhat regretted

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

housing Mara and her brother, Cecilia

nodded quickly.

and confirmed he was fine, Cecilia

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

Cecilia left, it wasn’t long before Huxley stirred

seemed momentarily dazed before his voice, hoarse and weak, managed to

her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she pulled him into an embrace. “Huxley,