The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gavin scoffed, the malice evident in his wrinkled eyes. "What can be done? The deed is done; they're gone. So, we'll just send Kaitlyn a picture of the urn, and let's see what she does. Will she cling to that useless old family recipe, or does she want to see her parents reduced to ashes?"

Victoria's eyes widened in horror.

Who the hell came up with this sick plan?

Was Gavin not afraid of being haunted by the Littleton's vengeful spirits?

Aurora Mountain Villa.

In a two-thousand-square-foot villa, the lights were off in every room except the living room.

Members of the Nine Mystics Society were stationed in every corner, ensuring the villa's security. Kaitlyn had been teetering on the edge of a breakdown all day. Finally relaxing, she collapsed into the first empty room she found and fell asleep.

Amelia's fever had broken, Tyler's wounds showed no signs of infection, and after taking Vivienne's pills, Sadie and Julian were out like lights.

Anna did a round of the villa before settling back in the living room.

Draven sat on the couch, silently cleaning his knives, an array of sleek switchblades neatly arrayed on the coffee table.

Having finished the tasks given to him by Percival, Thomas stretched his long legs, carelessly resting his head against the back of the sofa to rest his eyes.

Beside him, Raquel sat gagged, her eyelids fluttering with fatigue, yet she dared not sleep, fearing she might be taken out by Anna and the others if she let her guard down.

Anna's gaze swept indifferently over the group before she, too, took a seat, pulling out her phone to check the time. "It's almost dawn. Where are Vivienne and Percival? Shouldn't they be back by now?"

placed the last switchblade on the table and sighed as if he had finished a monumental task. He poured himself a cup of water, taking a sip before speaking, "They should be here soon. Emerald City isn't far, and even if those guys are tough,

days till court," Jerry, now fully rested, said as he rubbed his eyes and emerged from his room. "Even if they're a bit delayed, it's fine.

the trial." Thomas opened his eyes slowly, a sense of unease lingering. "But why do

continued to patter

the room flickered with light and shadow, creating an eerie atmosphere that put

recall the last time he'd seen weather this severe, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something

online buzz is still brewing, but with our legal summons, the tide is turning.

Vivienne!" Before he could finish, Kaitlyn, who had been asleep, suddenly burst out

clutching her phone tightly, her frantic gaze sweeping the room

Littleton!" Anna, who was closest, quickly grabbed Kaitlyn. "Mrs. Littleton, Ms.

yes, I need to find Vivienne," Kaitlyn stammered, her hands trembling as she held her phone, "There's no time! Can you call her, ask her to come back

his earlier premonition and strode over. "Mrs. Littleton, may

been gripping her phone since the start,

didn't wait for her consent before reaching out to

and resilient, was now filled with confusion and

resist as Jerry took the phone from her hands,

"Bastards!"

fell upon the phone, and

made sure to pocket the switchblades. "What happened? Who sent Mrs.

to see, and the message from an

had been comforting Kaitlyn, looked over, and the warmth in her

do now?" Thomas clenched