The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As Dorian’s panicked shout pierced the air, Vivienne and the others snapped to attention. Rushing to the doorway, they caught up to Dorian just as he was bolting towards the garage.

“Whoa, hold up, cowboy!” Leopold grabbed Dorian’s arm. “We’ll drive you. Where to?”

“The hospital! Step on it, to Downtown Medical Center!”

His voice was raw with urgency, his fingers quivering like aspen leaves in the wind. He looked like a kid who’d lost his favorite toy, eyes red and swollen with the threat of tears.

Only now did Vivienne notice the change in Dorian, whom she hadn’t seen in a few days. Silver streaks had begun to weave into his hair like frost creeping over autumn leaves.

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before cold realization dawned upon her. She remembered Cordelia’s mysterious disappearance, and her expression turned to stone.

“Leopold, floor it!” she ordered.

Percival was already on the phone with Thomas. “Get the guys closest to Downtown Medical Center on it, pronto! Find a patient named Cordelia Wilson. And make it snappy!”

They managed to shave the usual half-hour drive down to mere minutes.

Upon reaching the hospital lobby, Thomas was already there waiting. Dorian didn’t need guidance; he punched the elevator button and headed straight for the wards.

“What’s the situation?” Vivienne asked, with Percival and the others close on her heels.

Percival glanced at Thomas, lowering his voice as he asked.

Thomas shook his head, hinting at grim news. “No idea when she was admitted, but I’ve got people digging into it. As for the poison in her system, only Vivienne,” he nodded at Vivienne, “can likely deal with that.”

The elevator wasn’t big enough to contain the tension. Everyone heard Thomas’s words, including Vivienne, who turned a sharp gaze back to Dorian.

wanted to interrogate him, but

own, Dorian burst in. Seeing Cordelia resting peacefully, a semblance of calm washed over his distraught

Cordelia’s hand tightly, tears began to cascade down his

the hospital bed, her complexion ghostly pale, her lips devoid of color. Her usually gentle eyes were shut tightly, as if bearing

she strode forward.

a single look, Percival and Leopold

and the longer she felt the pulse, the graver

with dread yet

she interrogated him. “Cordelia was poisoned. Why didn’t you tell me? Who has been in contact with

palpable. She couldn’t bear to think what might have happened if she hadn’t come today. Cordelia could’ve been left

Dorian’s demeanor after Vivienne spoke, his

later, the Hawthorn family

himself in disbelief, “They promised to leave

puzzled. With a daughter like Vivienne, so fierce and capable, what could possibly be so dire that it led to

alongside Vivienne. If he didn’t know better, he’d think the broken man before

covering his face as tears seeped through his fingers. “They said if I informed Vivienne or Astrid about Cordelia, they’d kill her on the spot. Just last week, they ambushed her on her grocery

they were always one step ahead. They told me which room Cordelia was in and made me watch her suffer, powerless

extraordinary nature, resembling her mother’s, Dorian couldn’t help

used Cordelia to threaten him. Dorian was in a state of

pressed on. “What do they

“They only ordered me to make Ramona the face of Hawthorn Perfumes Inc. and

showing Vivienne the emails. Feeling a weight lift from his chest, he said, “I’ve been

“Don’t worry. I’ll save

the hell does this puppet master