The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At the Grimshaw family’s mansion.

Ever since Samantha was whisked away by that enigmatic man, she had plunged into unconsciousness.

It wasn’t until nightfall that she began to stir, finally coming to.

Waking up, she was immediately hit by an all-over ache, as if she had been dismantled and poorly reassembled. Luckily, the damaged pathways within her had been expertly reconnected.

As she mulled over this, the door creaked open, and a man strolled in.

Upon seeing him, Samantha flashed a smile, sultry as a siren’s call. She rose to her feet and sidled up to him, her voice a soft drip of honey. “I knew you’d come for me.”

The man cast her a nonchalant glance, his voice sharp as ice. “Foolish!”

“I was careless this time. I didn’t expect Vivienne to be so formidable. After all this time in hiding, she managed to find me.” Samantha’s voice was tinged with frustration.

That villa had cost her a pretty penny, fortified with barriers so sophisticated that even a master hacker might fail to pinpoint her sanctuary.

But she had overlooked one thing: Vivienne was no ordinary hacker. She was the Shadow Wolf!

A legend in the hacking world.

And her mother, Karen, was even more skilled than she.

The duo was not only evil but seemed to be at cosmic odds with Samantha herself.

The man watched her, expressionless, silent as stone.

Sensing his displeasure, Samantha purred, “With your skills, they won’t find you.”

A flicker of something passed through the man’s eyes. He spoke, his voice deep and resonant, “When will you have what I want ready?”

“It will take time!”

His face darkened immediately.

just been rescued by you. Vivienne and Percival are scouring the city for me. I can’t expose myself yet. Arrange a place for me to stay, and once things cool down, I’ll set up

regard her

assured, I’ve found the research direction. I’m planning an upgraded version of ST-1 with a few more potent ingredients. It shouldn’t

no such direction. But she had to say it. This man was nothing like

was the wild desire that Francis couldn’t satisfy. Also,

not Francis’. Francis loved her and wanted to be immortal with her. But for her, immortality was

were many others. Some had since entered

sampled every flavor of man but never bore a child to any,

coolly, “Make sure it’s so. I

lightly along his jawline, her

lace nightgown he had chosen for

him, and at last, he reacted. He gripped Samantha’s head, his kiss fierce. She winced, not a

But… she liked it.

onto the bed, his body following in a swift motion. A tempest raged within the

later,

man got up, dressing unhurriedly, gazing down at Samantha. He caressed her face. “This face, this body, still so enticing, and your skills… they improve,

his

you’re pleased. In time, you’ll savor this

her face; her body had to defy age as well. Thankfully, though ST-1’s effects on

she appeared no more than thirty. Yet, she was not content. She yearned to be

place is arranged. Stay put, and don’t show your face at the

Samantha nodded, “I

word, he turned

watched his retreat, lips curling. Such a carnivore, devouring the ‘meal’ and

…

At Rivenwood

visited Karen, who still hadn’t awakened. Willa was there,

Vivienne’s brows

“Is