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 straight for

and was ready for bed. His message read, [Donald is on it; the target is moving towards Capital Edge Estates, still

tail; we

messages sent,

The next day.

opened her eyes, Percival was already gone

her phone, and a message from Matthew popped up immediately, [At seven sharp this morning,

"What happened?"

hesitation, Vivienne got out of

voice was a bit 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

everyone, find Donald-dead

hung up quickly, then dialed Draven, "Issue the Order of Nine Mystics Society, search every nook of Rivenwood, including the suburbs. We must find

afford to

dressed, Vivienne grabbed her gear

the apartment, her phone vibrated. She

chilling enough,

bomb-instead of gunpowder, the glass vials were filled with an unknown green

she replied, [Who dares to hurt mine will pay with

The Ellington family.

other side came daily, as if certain he posed no threat, urging him to proceed with the next step. "Stop right

sneaking out like

of relief, "You scared me half to death. What are you doing up this

locked up by that maniac Vivienne? What have you

waiting for the right moment.

Vivienne's mercy. If you have even

of presence, Mara, having grown up with Wendy, always had

her, the naturally timid Huxley felt a chill at his core and involuntarily stepped back. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on

are you thinking? How