The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Asher was caught off guard by Vivienne's slick move, momentarily forgetting how to react.

After Thomas fired his shot, the Grimshaw family members went berserk, pulling out all their dirty tricks. But the crew Vivienne and Percival brought along, either personally trained by Vivienne or battle- hardened with Percival, were top-notch. The Grimshaws couldn't lay a finger on them.

Soon enough, most of the Grimshaws were captured. Those who weren't nabbed were the ones with special abilities. Thinking they could use their powers to save their skins, they hesitated upon seeing Asher's lack of reaction, wisely keeping their abilities under wraps. Without the head honcho's say-so, they dared not unleash their powers recklessly.

Snapping out of his daze, Asher couldn't hold back anymore. He unleashed his power towards Thomas and Leopold. If he couldn't touch Vivienne and Percival, dealing with these non-powered folks should have been like taking candy from a baby, right?

But to his shock, his power just vanished into thin air! Vanished-what the heck? Asher's jaw dropped in disbelief. What he witnessed was beyond anything he could comprehend. Weren't the ancient warriors supposed to be the strongest? Feared even by nations? Yet, why was his power utterly useless against these people?

Mid-stare, Leopold turned with a smirk, "Your little tricks? They're nothing in front of Vivienne. Before we even stepped foot into Grimshaw territory, she had us pop Spirit-Dampening Pills."

Asher clenched his teeth in frustration. "Spirit-Dampening Pills? What on earth are those?" He'd never heard of them before.

"Spirit-Dampening Pills, my latest invention," Vivienne chimed in, "designed to suppress ancient warrior abilities."

Leopold was initially clueless about its purpose, especially since he'd just found out about the ancient warriors' powers. This stuff was usually the fodder of TV shows, wasn't it? But seeing Asher's power fizzle against Vivienne and Percival, leaving them unfazed, he was utterly in awe of Vivienne. She was always one step ahead! Those pills were like bulletproof vests. Asher's attacks were as bothersome as a light tickle to them.

Asher was flabbergasted. Was Vivienne even human? She seemed more like a demon!

minutes have passed, Leopold. If we don't wrap this up in five, you're rewriting the 'Tao Te

'Tao Te Ching' 200 times was a fate worse than manual labor! Percival raised an eyebrow. Leopold laughed nervously, "Just

led their teams straight into the Grimshaw compound. However, as soon as they stepped foot inside, an invisible force

apart. Clutching his chest, Leopold, pale as a ghost, pleaded with

ignored him, her gaze fixed on the figure emerging from the courtyard. Oliver Grimshaw approached

upon spotting the person behind Oliver, his expression turning to one of shock,

man behind Oliver glanced over indifferently, his tone icy, "The

up!" Asher

son of the family, but not of his illegitimacy. His mother had used devious means to bear Initially,

Ethan as Oliver's son.than,

acknowledge Ethan, prioritizing the family's century-old glory

chosen as the heir

as

his intelligence was undeniable

I.n

him, but Ethan was barred

him banished to