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."

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,

the pages with growing astonishment, "This is Kipling's bank statement? Vivienne, you hacked into

her eyes, "Do you forget what we're dealing with here? Do

Their current mission was investigating the ancient warrior lineage, and Kipling's connection to Gavin through his sister's marriage made him an easy target.

sheepishly, lowering his head to keep poring over the documents under

director, had nothing but his fixed salary and some

then he turned the page, "Oh my, this is..." His interest waned, but his eyes suddenly widened, and he cursed

turned his head at 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

wasn't oblivious. Hearing this, her curiosity about the contents was replaced by realization, "Kipling's involved

But he's just a director, right? Why are so many people sending him

couldn't wrap his head

that the money isn't

nudged him, but his gaze was fixed

sat up straight out of Percival's embrace, and spoke, "Exactly, it's not for him. What you're

looked into the donors," Percival added, pulling out another document, "They come from all walks of

explained, "These people, after sending money to Gavin, all

they suddenly become proficient in

moment, Thomas flipped to a

injuries, not the kind inflicted by weapons but as

set showed the donors, eyes bloodshot, bodies

kind of genie granting martial arts wishes? Why

asked, "Why haven't these

the age 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,