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.

Rivenwood toll booth, they

through, Vivienne had just finished her nightly routine and was ready for bed. His

replied, [Keep on her tail; we

few terse messages sent, Vivienne turned

The next day.

Percival was already gone from

from Matthew popped up immediately, [At

"What happened?"

Vivienne got out of

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

ordered, "Alert everyone, find Donald-dead or

the Order of Nine Mystics Society,

afford to

dressed, Vivienne grabbed her gear and

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

chilling enough, [Next time, I won't go easy

tied to a post, strapped with the latest model of a time bomb-instead of gunpowder, the glass vials were filled with an unknown green liquid. The sender even had the audacity to include the address

shrank with fury as she replied, [Who dares to hurt mine will

The Ellington family.

regained his freedom after that interrogation. But he hadn't kept his head down for long. Messages from the other side came daily, as if

as Huxley was sneaking out like always, a delicate voice suddenly burst forth, startling

turned to see Mara and breathed a sigh of relief, "You scared me half to death. What are you doing up this

you forgotten what it felt like to be locked up by that maniac Vivienne? What have you been

for the right moment. When it comes, you'll

If you have even a shred

with

stepped back. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters

"What are you