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.

booth, they headed straight for

came through, Vivienne had just finished her nightly routine and was ready for bed. His message read, [Donald is on it; the target is moving towards Capital Edge Estates, still

tail; we need to know

sent, Vivienne turned

The next day.

eyes, Percival was

popped up immediately, [At seven sharp this morning, we lost

"What happened?"

got out of bed

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 place that she's back from the suburbs, but there's

everyone, find

the Order of Nine Mystics Society, search every nook of Rivenwood, including the suburbs. We must find

afford to

dressed, Vivienne grabbed her gear and headed

her phone

chilling enough, [Next time, I

of a time bomb-instead of gunpowder, the glass vials were filled

replied, [Who dares to hurt mine will pay with

The Ellington family.

from the other side came daily, as if certain he posed no threat, urging him to proceed with the

as Huxley was sneaking out like always, a

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

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 you were going to take over the Ellington family? There's

right moment. When it

"I don't care what you're planning, just remember this-I'm still at Vivienne's mercy. If you have even a shred of sibling love left, don't drag me

Mara, having grown up with Wendy,

a chill at his core and involuntarily stepped back. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the

are you thinking? How could I possibly harm you? I'm