The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Huxley dashed toward Mara, who had collapsed on the ground.

Mara struggled to even lift her head, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at Huxley. "The Ellingtons bullied me! Vivienne... she stepped on my back, I think she broke my bones! And she slapped me, my face is all swollen. Huxley, please, we need to get out of here!"

Her sobs were relentless, her hands gripping Huxley's arms as if he were her lifeline.

Huxley's eyes flickered with a hint of disgust and calculation. From the moment he entered and saw Mara's condition, he knew their plan had failed. Their attempt to sabotage Nathan had obviously been exposed.

Mara, always the weak link, how could she be his sister? Now, she was nothing but a burden, forcing him to clean up her messes. Watching her cry, Huxley felt an overwhelming sense of annoyance. It was clear they could no longer stay with the Ellingtons, but the show must go on.

Crying out, he lamented, "Aunt Cecilia, you've never treated us like family, letting Vivienne treat my sister like this. If you're all so fake, then we don't want to stay in this house anymore!"

"Let us go now. I need to get my sister medical help. If she's paralyzed, I swear I won't let this go!"

His voice was weak; they were truly in a dire situation. If not for Mara's current state, he would never dare to speak up like this.

If Cecilia hadn't taken one of Vivienne's calming pills, she might have fainted from anger by now.

weren't for

grunted in pain, his face contorting in agony as he struggled

screamed even louder when Huxley lifted her,

you have to let us go!" Huxley

the air of

smiling, but his eyes were

spine, holding Mara even tighter, not

against the wall, her cold gaze fixed on Huxley and Mara, her heart

further

found nothing, Vivienne, always sharp, understood

not worried.

into the bathroom, and with

shower drain, its content meant to erase Nathan's

Vivienne and Percival emerged, Mara knew their scheme was fully

Attempting to drug my father

Huxley dropped her to the ground. She whimpered in pain,