The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Tyler sat in the back, and, seeing the three people looking confused, he couldn’t help but feel a little anxious, afraid that his wife wouldn’t be able to say it clearly.

“Kaitlyn, let me explain. Ms. Hawthorn, this thing, it’s like this. It doesn’t matter if you use poison or destroy its roots. All it takes is a drop of its sap, and in less than a day, the herb will grow back to what it is now.”

He pointed at the herb that was clearly smothered in a box, but still bright green and fresh, “Not only that. Its sap can also save other, smaller plants about the same size as it.”

Vivienne’s eyes twinkled with mischief, “But this herb can’t cure people, can it?”

Plants and animals, though both forms of life, are fundamentally different from a biological standpoint. This herb may seem miraculous, but if it can’t even save a plant slightly bigger than itself, so how could it resurrect the dead or heal broken bones?

Indeed, Kaitlyn nodded in agreement. “It’s just an herb, not some kind of elixir from a fairy tale. How could it possibly bring back the dead? Honestly, this thing isn’t really about immortality at all.”

Vivienne noticed a flash of resentment in Kaitlyn’s eyes.

Kaitlyn continued, “But I don’t know who spilled the beans about the Littleton family having this herb. Some people believe that since it can revive plants, it must contain the secret to eternal youth. They wanted to take it for research, but it is our family heirloom, the only thing of value the Littleton family has left. My father refused to give it up, and they… they killed my entire family! I’m useless. I couldn’t even avenge them!” Kaitlyn’s hands trembled as she clutched the box.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

The Littleton family was murdered?

Wasn’t it said that Kaitlyn’s parents had committed suicide due to a business failure and financial crisis?

Vivienne had yet to investigate the Littleton family’s situation thoroughly, only hearing a few versions from others, and had assumed Kaitlyn’s parents had taken their own lives.

Seeing Kaitlyn’s eyes redden, Vivienne patted her shoulder in a comforting gesture as she said, “Kaitlyn, what do you need me to do for you?”

“This thing is of no use to me.” Kaitlyn pushed the box forward. “If it weren’t for this, my family wouldn’t have been brought to such a tragic end! But my father’s dying wish was for me to protect it, and I can’t go against his last request!”

But most of all, she didn’t want those villains to win!

the box’s contents and asked, “You’re not thinking of giving this to Vivienne,

this thing really as magical as

different from a common

confined in a box for

give this to you. You’re capable, and I believe you can protect this herb well.

out, tugging at Percival’s sleeve, who understood and stepped forward to take

“Really burn it?”

seem

half. With pleading and reluctant eyes, she occasionally glanced at the box in Vivienne’s hands. The pain on her face was clear for anyone to

face showed

prided himself on being an astute judge of character, but even he couldn’t tell

be able to let go and suddenly ask for the item back, he

suddenly change

anxious for Kaitlyn, their expressions clear to Vivienne. The

to me. Since you don’t want it, Kaitlyn, it’s best to burn it to avoid

To avoid any trouble.

and said, “Yes, to avoid any trouble! Better to burn it, so I won’t have to live in

with an apology, “Ms. Hawthorn, I’m so sorry. Even though I knew this would bring trouble, I still involved you. Please

Her father’s last words were not as important as her

Percival subtly stepped aside, causing her to grasp at air. She teetered, about

Tyler shouted, “Careful!”

Anna quickly steadied her.

her concern evident, while shooting

Percival stiffened.

more unreasonable by the

Kaitlyn, and

his eyes filled with

was unreasonable, he

couldn’t grasp the subtleties of their interaction, but Anna had an