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!"

forehead, 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

indistinct resentment. His gaze, heavy as a specter

smiling down at Asher.

"What's up? Doesn't your young

looks. With their young master in someone else's

ground with a series of crisp

step out of the factory, only to be interrupted by the screech

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

the entrance, and Vivienne, seeing this, was in no hurry. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early

of glances with Leopold, who was protecting Kaitlyn in the middle, they led

the dagger from Asher's throat. Then, with a sharp knee to the man's lower back, she snapped, "Scram, you waste!" "Vivienne... I

the roar of the cars speeding away and the sound of the urn shattering. The dust

covered his nose and mouth, retreating as he looked at the white spread on the ground, his heart

weighed on his chest, his body

watched as the medic pulled the silver needle from his acupoint,

His eyes, bloodshot, glanced at Gavin standing to the side, his mood 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 she leads

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

His fists clenched tightly, his cracked lips taut. His cold gaze lingered on Asher

outside,

Why?

did he feel this inexplicable

news, something's happened

the mud without care, collapsing

a beat, the unease growing. "What