The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel, the stoic expression on his face tinged with frost.

After a moment’s silence, he spoke slowly, “My aunt didn’t go abroad. She married into the Abernathy family; she became their family head, Preston Abernathy’s wife.”

Vivienne was surprised. “So the Victoria I met today is your aunt’s daughter?”

She didn’t know what kind of person Percival’s aunt was, but judging by Percival’s demeanor, he must have been quite fond of her.

Although, as far as Vivienne was concerned, with the exception of Richard and Percival, she hadn’t met anyone decent from the Ellington family. Still, she had a feeling that this aunt must have been a good person.

But her daughter…

Tsk.

She didn’t know what to make of her.

Percival nodded. “That’s likely.”

Vivienne arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean ‘likely’?”

Percival pursed his lips before explaining, “When my aunt insisted on marrying Preston, it caused a huge rift with my grandfather. He even threatened to disown her, but she wouldn’t budge. Grandpa got so angry, he actually cut all ties and forbade anyone from contacting her.”

Glancing at Vivienne, he continued, “In the Ellington family, next to my uncle, my aunt was always the kindest to me. After she married, I reached out to her. We met for lunch once, but then she told me never to contact her again. She was too proud. And since then, there hasn’t been any communication.

I had to dig around for information about her on my own, which wasn’t easy. The ancient warrior lineages are secretive, and after marrying, my aunt became even more reclusive, making it harder to find anything out. Later, I heard she had a daughter, but I found very little about her.”

Taking a deep breath, he carried on, “I eventually heard that my aunt was cast out and had become comatose. I only learned her daughter’s name after that. But whether this Victoria is really her child, I have no way of knowing.”

Vivienne frowned, slightly perplexed. “So, is this Preston a looker or something?”

was momentarily confused by her question.

her family for a marriage that ended with her being thrown out and turned into a vegetable. Was it because Preston was so handsome that he completely

other reason why Percival’s aunt would be so adamant about

why she was

he added, “As for why my grandfather disapproved, one reason was the general distrust our ordinary family had for ancient warrior lineages. Also, Grandpa once overheard Preston on the phone saying

temples. “So, Preston had another lover even

with

a moment, Vivienne was at a loss

her father, succumbing

grew colder as he said, “After discovering you were the Specter Healer, I started to look for her

took his hand softly. “Let’s take our revenge

touched

the two of them falling into

long while, Percival spoke up again, “Vivienne, do you get the feeling someone is playing a

nodded. “Yeah, I’ve

just be a pawn in someone else’s game, especially concerning that mysterious woman and the ancient

hadn’t figured out

goals seemed linked to immortality but also went beyond it. There were other, unknown

move today suggested

in riddles, almost as if to warn

cross that bridge when we come to it. Let’s first settle the score for your aunt. And as

at Percival’s lips, thinking, “You’re the first person I’ve met who’s so

phone rang with an unfamiliar

at the caller ID flashing on his phone screen, a number he didn’t recognize. Without

he dismissed the call than it started ringing again. With a scowl darkening his features, Percival

he did, the caller got straight to the point. “This is

expression shifted dramatically.

said next, Percival cast a sidelong glance at Vivienne