The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Ethan was utterly shocked.

He had thought Percival was merely testing the waters, but now...

It was clear Percival had all the evidence he needed.

Weighing his options, Ethan found Samantha of little concern. To him, she was nothing more than an old witch, delusional if she thought she could ensnare him.

His interest in Samantha was purely because she was working on a so-called "Elixir of Life," and since she was his aunt's protégé, he felt obligated to protect her at all costs.

However, despite Samantha's advanced age, her seductive tactics varied each time, igniting his desires in a way that gave him a perverse thrill.

Even if Samantha failed to produce the Elixir of Life, keeping her around for his own pleasure seemed like a viable option.

But now, he had to make a decision.

Seeing him silent, Oliver's face darkened. He slapped Ethan across the face, his voice thunderous, "You scoundrel! What have you done?"

The slap was charged with inner strength, heavy, causing Ethan's mouth to bleed. Wiping the blood from his lips, Ethan stared back malevolently, "What have I done? I've taken control, trampling you all underfoot!"

Hearing this, Asher burst out in rage, pointing at Ethan, "I knew it! You heartless beast, always up to no good!"

Asher then turned to Oliver, "Dad, take a good look. This is your chosen successor? He's going to ruin the Grimshaw legacy!"

Oliver was furious, "When did you start plotting this?"

It was clear that the involvement of Vivienne and Percival, acting on behalf of the government, indicated the gravity of the situation. The state feared that the entire ancient warrior lineage might be uprooted.

development;

smile, Ethan replied, "When did I start? It's

were you planning to replace

Leopold and Thomas to halt, as the group quietly

malevolence, "Of course

In my life, I've met all sorts of people, but I never expected to raise a wolf in sheep's clothing. You hid it well, even fooling

hadn't hidden it well, would you have taught me your powers?" Ethan looked up, his eyes filled with intense hatred, "I groveled

"Once I take over the Grimshaw

scoffed, "Don't flatter yourself. Despite everything

that so?" Ethan retorted, swinging a heavy blow at Oliver, who dodged,

while. While I might not be able to kill

to Vivienne and Percival, "I just needed more time to surpass him. Why did you

rejected us both.

you're foolish, that's

face turned ashen, "No! You're the ones

many ways you could've avenged your mother, yet you chose the most ineffectual. You knew the person behind you was using the Elixir of Life as a facade, seeking to overturn

nation's development is built on the sacrifices of countless

by those

overturn an era without considering the will

claimed no high moral ground, her love for the

reluctant to serve the nation, accepting the task meant she had a duty

with her, and even if she fell, countless others who loved their country would stand in

Veridia could not be

stiffened, then he scoffed self-deprecatingly, "I never wanted to serve her. But she could help me control the Grimshaw legacy. All