The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The bodyguard wanted to fight back, but he found that he was not only immobilized, but his bones felt like they were shattering.

His face was a picture of shock as he stared at Vivienne.

She was so strong!

How could such a young girl be so powerful? Who on earth was she?

With icy blue eyes that could freeze hell over, Vivienne coldly inquired, “What were you about to do?”

For reasons he couldn’t fathom, locking eyes with Vivienne was like being cornered by a wolf. He had been a bodyguard for the Abernathy family for over two decades, trained in martial arts and bolstered by remarkable strength, but before this girl, he felt utterly insignificant.

The bodyguard remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, “I apologize. I was out of line.”

Vivienne glanced at him dismissively, shook his hand off, and casually wiped her hands with a tissue from her pocket.

It seemed like a gentle shake, but the bodyguard was flung several meters away. He had to use his own strength just to steady himself.

He looked up at Vivienne again and then turned to Victoria, speaking in a low voice, “Miss, we should leave.”

“Slap!”

Before the bodyguard could finish, Victoria’s hand connected sharply with his face, followed by a furious scolding, “You useless thing! I sent you to deal with those two old fools, and you got weak at the knees over a pretty face? What use are you to me?”

The bodyguard took the slap without a hint of dissatisfaction, softly advising, “Miss, this person is very strong. With her here, we won’t succeed today. Let’s go back and devise a plan.”

“Hmph! When I, Victoria Abernathy, want something, there’s no need for planning. You’re a failure, and now you want to teach me how to handle my affairs?”

Victoria glared at the bodyguard, then turned her attention to Vivienne. “I want to see what she can do about it!”

With that, she marched forward, hand raised to strike Vivienne, but before she could even swing, Vivienne kicked her away!

“Thud!”

Victoria slammed against a wall several meters away, coughing up blood immediately.

“Miss!”

as he rushed to help Victoria

in disbelief; she had been sent flying by a single kick without even a

the ancient warrior lineage, the Abernathy family. Martial training was her

didn’t even have the chance to react

you?” Victoria asked, eyeing Vivienne

with someone so formidable? She

your worst nightmare!” Vivienne

she snapped at Vivienne, “Don’t think because you know a few fighting tricks you can strut around here like some hotshot. I

her pockets and eyes half-hidden by a curtain of hair, spoke with a voice as cold as the winter frost,

The ancient warrior lineage?

Perfect!

deal with the

“Then you won’t

alive and kicking.

Victoria stayed silent.

dog kennels, getting their body slowly devoured by dogs. Others are in my wolf sanctuary, keeping the wolves company, and a few are in my lab, serving as living specimens.” She paused for a moment, looking directly at Victoria. “Where

Victoria. For some reason, she

too strong, and Victoria knew she was no

once, but can you guard her for a lifetime? What she has is something all ancient warrior lineages covet. Aside from my family, there are many families who will cause

to pick a fight with someone so powerful. Her only aim was to retrieve what Kaitlyn held,

her. But that look alone told Victoria

“At least have the guts

Hawthorn!” Vivienne

keen on getting involved, prepare for the wrath of the

that, Victoria left, supported

they were gone, Isolde tilted her head, puzzled. “Vivienne, why didn’t you teach the bad guys a lesson like

what they deserved. Today, it was merely

had no idea how heavy that kick was. All she knew was that it

patted Isolde’s head and said with a smile, “Sweetie, keeping the bad

direction in which Victoria had

“Ms. Hawthorn, thank you.”

was out of sight that Kaitlyn snapped back to