The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"Hey, hey!"

Griffin nudged the completely petrified Leopold, but getting no reaction, finally yelled into his ear, "What are you daydreaming about?! Let go of me, everyone's gone, stop taking advantage of me!"

Leopold jerked back to reality, only then noticing his hand was still on Griffin, "No, I'm sorry. I, I just... I didn't mean to..."

As Sophie walked away, Leopold's memory gradually returned, and he started panicking at the thought of what he had just said.

His handsome face turned beet red as he hurriedly tried to explain, terrified Griffin might misunderstand.

The girl's previously amused expression faded a bit, and Thomas wanted to give his brother a smack for being so clueless. He totally deserved to be single!

To thank Griffin for stepping in and saving him from being paired up with Leopold, he opened his mouth to help say something.

But Griffin beat him to it: "I know. I was just trying to help you out. If Thomas hadn't texted me, I wouldn't have known you were here."

"Alright, alright, as long as you know."

Leopold wasn't sure what he was thinking, hastily agreeing.

Meanwhile, he glanced back at Thomas, who was silently questioning how the two had become so close.

But, he didn't voice his doubts.

First, he politely made sure Griffin got into a cab, and only after she was out of sight did he turn to Thomas for some answers, "How do you have Griffin's number?! And why did you call her?" "Not call her? And just let that lunatic pair me up with you?"

Thomas rubbed his arms, "You might not mind, but I'd rather not catch that bad vibe!"

Leopold bristled at that, his competitive spirit flaring up instantly, "What bad vibe?! How can you even say that?"

didn't mean any disrespect to any minority. I just have an issue with you.

rolled his eyes, not wanting to waste more time on this trivial matter. "We have that lawsuit with Harrison coming up. We need to beef up security at the mansion today.

sidetracked, "I almost forgot about that witness. I wonder

you always trust Vivienne's medical

a surprised look. When Leopold didn't recognize Vivienne, he was her

could he have

Thomas's scrutinizing gaze and quickly tried to cover up, "I didn't mean it like that. It's just, with Percival's aunt's condition, surviving would be a miracle. Waking up seems nearly impossible." Thomas gave

the lab, Vivienne, unaware of Leopold and Thomas's discussion, was reviewing Holly's medical records prepared

she addressed the same question posed

eyes widened

woman lying in

bed, "Not that

ovel.net

poison in her system and her current physical state, even if she

be a massive

usually needed extensive recovery time even when their muscles weren't atrophied due

over a decade

him, a complete recovery seemed

Vivienne, the Specter Healer, seemed

puzzled Brody, "How can you be so

smile, "What if the

it weren't for the poison, she would

the Specter Healer might inadvertently cause Holly's death by removing

Vivienne's calm demeanor, he thought she might have another plan. Instead, he

from the side, summed up their conversation to a grim reality: despite Vivienne's belief, Holly might never fully

eyes to suppress his turmoil, he solemnly stated, "No matter what, as long as my aunt lives, everything else is