The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At this very moment, even a brief second of tranquility was more than Ramona could bear.

She had been rattled to her core by the surveillance footage, tears streaming down her face as she screamed, "This is it! I've said all I can say! Please, please let me go! I haven't even started anything! It wasn't me who messed with your mom; it was all the Grimshaws. I was cornered. I was truly forced!"

Vivienne settled back on the couch, her gaze drifting lightly over Ramona. It was unclear whether she believed her or not. She crossed her legs and said nothing.

Percival had been silent since the beginning, his eyes only on Vivienne, not deviating in the slightest, playing the role of the devoted husband to perfection. Ramona's eyes flickered swiftly.

It seemed like a flash of resentment passed through them.

But it was so quick no one saw.

"Ma'am." Anna stood by her, Ramona's tireless voice echoing in her ears.

She turned a deaf ear, simply waiting for Vivienne's command.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed before Vivienne finally spoke indifferently, "Let her go."

The evening wind sliced across Ramona's face like a blade.

She sped along the freeway, scenes from the night's confrontation with Vivienne racing through her mind.

Her heart burned with fury!

If it weren't for the mission, if her meridians hadn't been altered, preventing her from using force!

She would've twisted Vivienne's head off herself!

Ramona's eyes were dark with malice, focused on the road ahead, completely oblivious to the black car tailing her closely.

In an unseen corner, two figures vanished swiftly into the darkness.

passing the Rivenwood toll booth, they headed

bed. His message read, [Donald is on it; the target is moving towards Capital Edge

[Keep on her tail; we need to know who's behind

sent, Vivienne turned off her

The next day.

opened her eyes, Percival was already gone

from Matthew popped up immediately, [At seven sharp this morning, we lost contact with Donald,

"What happened?"

got out of bed and

rushed but composed, "I was in contact with Donald last night, but this morning, there's been no response to calls or texts. We've heard from the people watching Ramona's

ordered, "Alert everyone, find Donald-dead or

then dialed Draven, "Issue the Order of Nine Mystics Society, search every nook of Rivenwood, including

couldn't afford to

dressed, Vivienne grabbed her gear

stepped out of the apartment, her phone vibrated. She checked it

that came was chilling enough,

picture of Donald tied to a post, strapped with the latest model of a time bomb-instead of gunpowder,

replied, [Who dares

The Ellington family.

kept his head down for long. Messages from the other side came daily, as if certain he posed no threat, urging him

as Huxley was sneaking out like always,

to see Mara and breathed a sigh of relief, "You scared me half to death. What

crossed, stepped forward, "I should be asking you that. Have you forgotten what it felt like to be locked up by that maniac Vivienne? What have you been up to these days, sneaking around? Didn't you say

"What's the rush? I'm waiting for the right moment. When it comes, you'll

remember this-I'm still at Vivienne's mercy. If you have even a shred

grown up with Wendy, always had the upper hand over

timid Huxley felt a chill at his core and involuntarily stepped back.

gathered his courage to face Mara, "What are you thinking? How could I