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!"

sweat trickled down his neck onto

resentment. His gaze, heavy

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

glanced at Asher's bodyguards. "What's up? Doesn't your

With their young master in someone else's grip, they dared

weapons clattered to the ground with

factory, only to be interrupted by the screech of

up to see a stranger in black, rolling down his car window. His gaze was fixed solely on

sᴇaʀᴄh

who was protecting Kaitlyn in the

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

sound of the urn shattering. The dust kicked up choked everyone, causing them

nose and mouth, retreating as he looked at the

within him, as if a heavy stone weighed on his chest, his body trembling involuntarily, as

his chest, watched as the medic pulled the silver needle

plummeting. "What are you waiting for? Get moving, or do you expect me to help you? What a waste! Can't even handle a young girl, and

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

lips taut. His cold gaze lingered on Asher for only a moment before his expression changed. He

solid ground outside, he couldn't help but look

Why?

did he feel this inexplicable

news, something's

guarding the Abernathy Graveyard came tumbling over, rolling in the mud without care, collapsing at Gavin's feet. His face was a mess of snot and blood, his

a beat, the unease growing.