The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Kaitlyn now regarded Vivienne's words as gospel truth. Without a moment's hesitation, she nodded in agreement.

After responding, she looked back at Vivienne, skepticism creeping into her eyes, "But should we really ignore all the stuff online?"

Vivienne cracked a smile, "Let's just let the dust settle for a bit."

Jerry came down the stairs, holding a stack of papers, his black-rimmed glasses reflecting a mysteriously enigmatic light, "Looks like Kipling is backed into a corner. Accusing us of using our influence is one thing, but to say the court's been bribed? Won't be long before the higher-ups squash it."

Leopold, lounging on the couch, made room for him, "Why not just release the evidence we have?"

"Go big or go home. Let's leave them with no room to talk." Just as he finished, Thomas gave him a look as if he'd lost his mind, "Have you gone soft from all the chasing from Sophie? The whole point was to drag the Abernathy family into the light. If you spill all the evidence now, how are we supposed to draw out the real power behind them?"

"We can't just sit on our hands, though." The thought of those radical online comments made Leopold click his tongue in disbelief.

How could people flip-flop so easily, believing whatever they hear?

Percival's eyes flickered with irritation as he glanced down at Vivienne.

When he saw her looking his way, he subtly gestured towards Leopold.

The message was clear: This Leopold's brain isn't quite up to snuff. He's not keepers.

Vivienne felt the same way.

Jerry surveyed the room, facepalming at the embarrassment before he couldn't hold back any longer and punched Leopold lightly, "Who said we're doing nothing? I've got everything ready, just waiting for Vivienne's go-ahead."

holding his head, muttered under his breath but didn't dare to voice his complaints aloud. His eyes brightened at Jerry's words, "What, what? Let me see, what do you have there?" Jerry wasn't planning to keep it secret, so he let the papers go without

pages with growing astonishment, "This is Kipling's

"Do you forget what we're dealing with

mission was investigating the ancient warrior lineage, and Kipling's connection to Gavin through his sister's marriage made him an easy target. Just file a request, and getting

lowering his head to keep poring over the

had nothing but his fixed salary and some mundane

page, "Oh my, this is..." His interest waned, but his eyes suddenly widened, and

the commotion. His cool gaze swept over the figures, freezing for a moment before he hissed under his breath, taking a minute or two before speaking, "Looks like Kipling is playing the victim

the contents was replaced by realization, "Kipling's involved

just a director, right? Why are so many people sending him money,

just couldn't wrap his head around

the

him, but his gaze was fixed on

phone, sat up straight out of Percival's embrace, and spoke, "Exactly, it's not for him. What you're holding is also Gavin's bank statement.

added, pulling out another document, "They come from all walks of life, even from

"These people, after sending money to Gavin, all see a rise in their

"Not just that, they suddenly become proficient

to a set

showed various angles of gruesome injuries, not the kind inflicted by weapons but as

set showed the donors, eyes bloodshot, bodies

of genie granting martial arts wishes? Why does everyone look

"Why haven't these photos surfaced

of big data, any small incident could become a spectacle. Yet, with a stack of photos as thick as ten centimeters, there was no buzz online, which was utterly against the norm. Jerry wasn't surprised,