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.

the Rivenwood toll booth, they headed

ready for bed. His message read, [Donald is on it; the

on her tail; we need to know

few terse messages sent, Vivienne turned off her

The next day.

eyes, Percival was already gone from

Matthew popped up immediately, [At seven sharp this

"What happened?"

out of bed and

this morning, there's been no response to calls or texts. We've heard from the people watching Ramona's place that she's back from the suburbs, but there's

"Alert everyone, find Donald-dead

"Issue the Order of Nine Mystics

afford

dressed, Vivienne grabbed her gear and headed

as she stepped out of the apartment, her phone vibrated. She checked it swiftly, not Matthew, not

was chilling enough, [Next time,

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

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

The Ellington family.

kept his head down for long. Messages from the other side

in the morning, as Huxley was sneaking out like always, a

breathed a sigh of relief, "You scared me half to death. What are

maniac Vivienne?

right moment. When it comes, you'll have your

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

having grown up with Wendy, always had the upper hand

naturally timid Huxley felt a chill at his core and involuntarily stepped back. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels

Huxley gathered his courage to face Mara, "What are you thinking? How could I possibly harm you? I'm just not content with being under Vivienne's