The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The moment Leopold spoke, the car fell into a silence that stretched for a full thirty seconds.

Vivienne looked up at Leopold with a hint of exasperation in her eyes. Her junior always had a knack for being clever at the most inconvenient times. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Some things, even if you know them, you just don't blurt out!

Realizing he might have put his foot in it, Leopold met Matthew's disapproving gaze and chuckled awkwardly, trying to change the subject. "So, what do we do now? Head over to the YQ Research Center first?"

Vivienne nodded. "Let's drop Holly off there first. She can't hold on much longer with just the meds I've been giving her. The lab's equipment is state-of-the-art, and with Brody there to help out, I can run some tests and stabilize her condition. Then, we need to focus all our efforts on dealing with the Abernathys!"

Neither Leopold nor Matthew objected to the plan.

Percival, who had regained his composure, gripped Vivienne's hand tightly, "Leave Gavin to me! I want to avenge Aunt Holly myself!"

YQ Research Center.

The soft blue floor lights flickered overhead. The roar of the rain and thunder was swallowed by the soundproof walls.

Behind the frosted glass doors, Percival and Leopold could only make out the vague silhouettes of two people inside.

"Hey, what's going on in there?" Enzo sidled up to Leopold, nudging his elbow.

The touch was met with an impatient brush-off, and Leopold held a finger to his lips, "Keep it down, will you? Come outside; I'll fill you in."

He cast a surreptitious glance at the stone-faced Percival and gestured for Enzo to follow him out of the lab.

Matthew, noticing their antics, chose to ignore them and pulled out a beer from seemingly nowhere. "Relax, with Vivienne in there, everything's going to be all right."

eyes flickered. "I

you know, then why

brow as she received

brought in, he thought Vivienne and the

she was Percival's aunt, he was somewhat

with cheeks hollowed from malnutrition and unconsciousness, he could see

would be reduced to

long gone. Her survival till now was nothing short of a miracle. If Vivienne hadn't brought her back from that remote village they mentioned, she probably wouldn't have lasted

even he wasn't sure

replied, "It'll

at her in surprise. "Sometimes I really wonder just how advanced your medical skills are. Is there anyone in the world you

the ticking of the surgical

relief, put all the tools back on the tray, and removed

Holly and, after scrubbing her hands, opened a sterile passageway. "Tomorrow morning, someone will come to take care of her. What you need to do is monitor all her vital signs. If anything unexpected

assured, pushing the gurney through the passageway. He preferred experiments, but looking after a patient was well within his capabilities. Plus, he was curious to see how the Specter Healer would work

"How did it go?"

with a ding. Leopold and Enzo, who had returned from outside, along with Matthew and Percival, who

Holly's condition is stable. Now, it's all about recovery. She hasn't been properly

Vivienne squeezed Percival's hand to reassure him, "She needs time to

Percival's palm warmed

expression softening with tenderness that Leopold and the other bachelors couldn't

get back soon, I

Vivienne nodded. "Let's go."

first light of dawn hit the estate,