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 headed straight for the

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

we need to know

sent, Vivienne turned off her

The next day.

her eyes, Percival

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

"What happened?"

got out of bed and called

no response to calls or texts. We've heard from the people watching Ramona's place

everyone, find Donald-dead

hung up quickly, then dialed Draven, "Issue the Order of Nine Mystics Society, search every nook of

afford

grabbed her gear and

her phone vibrated. She checked it swiftly, not Matthew, not

the text that came was chilling enough, [Next time, I won't go easy on

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

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

The Ellington family.

his freedom after that interrogation. But he hadn't kept his head down for long. Messages from the other side

in the morning, as Huxley was sneaking out like always, a delicate voice suddenly burst

sigh of relief, "You

that maniac Vivienne? What have you been up to these days, sneaking around? Didn't you say you were going to take over the

for the right moment. When it comes, you'll have your chance to

this-I'm still at Vivienne's mercy. If you have even a shred of sibling love left, don't drag me down with you, or I won't be

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

his core and involuntarily stepped back. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest

flickering eyes, Huxley gathered his courage to face Mara, "What are you thinking? How could I possibly harm you? I'm just