The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Kaitlyn had no talent for the arts of ancient warrior lineage. She could barely protect herself under the watchful eyes of her peers, and now she was the most relaxed among them. "I don't really pay attention! I follow Vivienne's lead!"

Vivienne's smile grew even brighter. "It's just a couple of urns of ashes. If you want to smash them, go ahead. I just hope Mr. Grimshaw and Gavin don't live to regret it!"

With that, Vivienne turned to Leopold. "Let's bounce, Leopold!"

"What?"

As Gavin and Asher gaped in shock, Leopold ripped off the latex mask from his face, his smile wild. "You got it, Vivienne!"

"Not good!" Asher's keen eyes spotted the red cartridge in his hand. Breaking free from Vivienne's clutches, he dashed forward, intent on stopping him.

"Gavin, are you out of your mind?" As he charged ahead, he didn't forget to glance at Gavin, frowning and lost in thought. "If Miss Hawthorn doesn't give a damn about the peace of her friends' parents after death, why should we care? Stuff like ashes, better to scatter them to the winds!"

"You're right."

Vivienne's fingers flashed with a cold gleam, and a sharp silver needle plunged into Asher's acupoint as he was caught off guard. "Ashes, indeed, are better scattered."

"Ugh..." The pain was like being torn apart, forcing Asher to his knees.

Vivienne didn't think it was enough, stomping hard on his shoulder. "Especially for a man like Mr. Grimshaw. Perfect for grinding to dust!"

"Asher!" Gavin's grip on the urn tightened. He might not respect Asher, but he couldn't let him be harmed on his watch!

"Freeze!"

A dagger with a cold glint was pressed against Asher's throat, the blade cutting through his skin, with blood dripping down the silver edge onto the ground.

Gavin's eyes bulged as he raised the urn higher. "Vivienne, stop! If you dare hurt Asher, the Grimshaws won't let you off!"

the pain causing his eyes to roll back. As sweat trickled down his neck onto the wound, the stinging pain tormented his nerves, but he had to muster his strength. "Let them

gaze, heavy as a specter at midnight, struggled

smiling down at Asher. "Mr. Grimshaw, you're

bodyguards. "What's up? Doesn't your

in someone else's grip, they dared not

the ground with a series of

step by step out of the factory, only to

rolling down his car window. His gaze

at the entrance, and Vivienne, seeing this, was in no hurry. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ

an exchange of glances with Leopold, who was protecting Kaitlyn

the cars and the doors were shut, Vivienne slowly removed the dagger from Asher's throat. Then, with a

the cars speeding away and the sound of the urn shattering.

mouth, retreating as he looked at the

his

chest, watched as the medic pulled the silver needle from his acupoint, the trembling and urge to faint

at Gavin standing to the side, his mood plummeting. "What are you waiting for? Get moving, or do you expect me to help

hands as he ranted, "I don't know how the Abernathys ever put you in

abruptly interrupted. His fists clenched tightly, his cracked lips taut. His cold gaze lingered on Asher for only a

solid ground outside, he

Why?

he feel this inexplicable

Bad news, something's happened at the

the disciple responsible for guarding the Abernathy Graveyard came tumbling over, rolling in the mud without care,

beat, the unease