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.

scouring the city for me. I can’t expose myself yet. Arrange a place for me to stay, and once things cool

continued to regard her in cold

direction. I’m planning an upgraded version of ST-1 with

But she had to say it. This man was nothing like Francis, so easy to deal with. She loved Francis,

desire that Francis couldn’t satisfy. Also, he was a talisman she sought for

was her obsession, not Francis’. Francis loved her and wanted to be immortal with her. But for her, immortality was about forever ensnaring men

from Francis and the man before her, there were many others. Some had since entered their graves. Others were

man but never bore a child to

demeanor softened slightly. He spoke coolly, “Make sure it’s so. I have no use for

slithered closer, her alabaster fingers tracing lightly along his jawline, her voice a

was clad in the silk lace nightgown he had chosen for her. The neckline plunged daringly, hinting at the treasures

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

But… she liked it.

bed, his body following in

hours later, it

Samantha. He caressed her face. “This face, this body, still so enticing, and your skills… they improve, little temptress, but don’t

Samantha was much older, in his presence, she seemed

“As long as you’re pleased. In time, you’ll savor this every

had to defy age as well. Thankfully, though ST-1’s

Yet, she was not content.

put, and don’t

Samantha nodded, “I only

word, he turned and

watched his retreat, lips curling. Such a carnivore,

…

At Rivenwood

hadn’t awakened. Willa was there, tirelessly tending to her

examining Karen, Vivienne’s brows

Willa asked, “Is Sasha’s condition