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!"

down his neck onto the wound, the stinging pain tormented his nerves, but he had to

His gaze, heavy as

unphased, even smiling down at Asher. "Mr. Grimshaw,

that, Vivienne glanced at Asher's bodyguards. "What's up? Doesn't your young

young master in someone else's

clattered to the ground with a series of crisp

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

black, rolling down his

this, was in no hurry. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ

exchange of glances with Leopold, who was protecting Kaitlyn in

from Asher's throat. Then, with

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

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

his chest, his body trembling involuntarily, as though he'd been plunged into an

the medic pulled the silver needle

non-stop. 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

recent beating at Vivienne's hands as he ranted, "I don't

His cold gaze lingered on Asher for only a moment before his expression changed. He didn't reply,

solid ground outside, he couldn't help but

Why?

feel this

something's happened at the

Abernathy Graveyard came tumbling over, rolling in the mud without care, collapsing at Gavin's

heart skipped a beat, the unease growing.