The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dusk was settling in, painting the sky in shades of deep purples and blues. In the midst of this twilight, a modest ranch-style house stood under the gentle caress of moonlight. In front of the house, several old and withered trees swayed in the breeze, casting eerie shadows that danced in the dark.

Inside, a man was bound by ropes, suspended in mid-air. His head hung low, devoid of any signs of life.

Suddenly, a bucket of boiling hot water was poured over him from head to toe.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!" The man screamed, his face contorted in agony, his skin scalding as if it were being cooked, blisters forming rapidly.

"You awake now?" The voice was chilling, menacing.

Percival, clad in a simple black tee that hugged his broad shoulders and outlined his muscular chest, stood straight with a leather whip in hand. His eyes glimmered with a ruthless intent.

The man caught in this torturous ordeal was Gavin.

With a fierce lash of the whip, Percival drew blood, marking Gavin's flesh.

Gavin barely managed a whimper, engulfed in his own hellish pain. He couldn't fathom why he was at Percival's mercy. He had anticipated Abigail's betrayal but didn't expect Percival to be the one executing the punishment.

His eyes, bloodshot, welled with confusion and pain as tears mixed with blood dripped down. "Wasn't it Abigail who wanted me dead?"

Percival rinsed the whip in salt water, cleaning off the blood. "It was Abigail who sent the hit, and as far as she's concerned, you're already dead."

Shock and disbelief filled Gavin's eyes as he struggled to speak. "What do you mean?"

relentless assault. The room filled with the thick scent of blood, an aroma so

She would've given you a quick death, but

isn't it? You're avenging her!" Gavin

he casually tossed the whip aside and wiped his hands

have wronged Holly. I deserve hell for my sins!" Gavin pleaded weakly,

Percival drove nails into Gavin's wrists

agony overwhelmed him,

Despite knowing Abigail had sent another assassin

and Leopold arrived, Gavin was barely alive.

far as the authorities were concerned, Gavin was already a dead man, replaced by

to the lab," Percival

Thomas nodded, driving off.

Vivienne greeted them with a radiant smile, "Aunt

momentarily stunned, quickly embraced Vivienne, "Thank you, Vivienne. You've been a blessing to me and the Ellington

knowing how much Percival longed to reunite

room, Holly sat propped up against her bed, her face

of Victoria's hair, Holly's eyes welled with tears, "Victoria, you've grown so much. When I

with a whirlwind of emotions, nestled into Holly's embrace, "Mom, finding you has been my only goal. Now, we can

as Percival and Vivienne entered. Holly's gaze locked onto Percival, her voice

his

after I cut ties with you. You never held it against me." "Aunt, there's no need for guilt. Regardless of the past,