The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Ramona gnawed at her nails incessantly, biting so fiercely that the skin of her thumb broke and bled, yet she was numb to the taste. Her lips were stained with the crimson of her blood, and when her saliva mingled with the wound, a sharp pain jolted her back to reality.

Snapping out of her daze, Ramona realized she couldn't just sit around waiting for doom. She fished out her phone and made a call, "When you guys crafted my cover, why didn't you pick something better? I can't deal with this online crap! Everyone's calling me a floozy now; I can't even leave the house without paparazzi on my tail!"

Ramona paced her room, agitated, "I don't care. You have to fix this. Otherwise, I'm spilling everything to the family!"

She breathed heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

The curtains in her room were all drawn shut.

Since the night before, the building opposite was swarming with cameras, hordes of people desperate for a scoop on her.

Ramona had no idea how much longer she could endure this nightmare!

If not for Vivienne whisking her away from her apartment yesterday, she wouldn't have even made it to the gala at Capital Edge Estates!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She was a respected lady of the Grimshaw family, after all.

Yet, a single mission had plummeted her reputation, leaving her feeling less worthy than the stray dogs in the streets!

On the other end of the phone, the person seemed indifferent to her rage, their voice calm and detached, "You created this mess; you clean it up. Ramona, no matter how many tasks you've taken on, you have only one mission here. Win over Percival, and right now, you're on the verge of failing!"

"What do you mean by that?" Ramona retorted with a start, "So you hire me and don't trust me? Fine, I'm done! Don't think you're the only ones who know the art of meridians reversal. Our main family has its experts, too. I'm going to them tonight, and we'll see how you continue your plans when the Grimshaw family learns you've stolen their techniques."

She should have never agreed to work with these people!

If not for the poison they injected into her, she would never have agreed to this mission!

"Hold your horses," the voice on the other end said, gender indiscernible, "Maybe this isn't such a bad thing after all."

her own fury, "Well, you just wait and see. I'll sabotage your plans even if it's the last thing

held the phone away until Ramona finished her rant. Then, with a mocking curve of the lips, they brought the phone back to their ear and said patiently, "This isn't just about you being caught in a storm. Those seen with you are also in hot water. There's a saying, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'

...

suburbs, amidst lush greenery, a castle-like villa stood

gazing at the ivy-covered walls, their expressions

"Should we really

big

Draven's surprise, approached the grand doors of the castle. It seemed well-kept, showing no signs of neglect, with even the brass

"Young master!"

"Vivienne!"

arriving Matthew's eyes widened in shock as

Vivienne simply looked back,

even kicked the now-open castle

and Matthew were taken aback. Why wasn't anything

only intent on teaching Vivienne a

path was clear as they crossed the vast courtyard and entered the villa's grand hall. The entire castle was devoid of

Donald was bound, not a soul

and Matthew kicked aside the

"Ugh!"

pillar in the room with hemp rope, his mouth sealed with black

vial hung at his waist, the green liquid

frantically, warning them not to

no one

expected, nothing happened. Swallowing their pride at being underestimated, they peeled the tape from Donald's mouth. "Donald, what happened? You were just supposed to