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?"

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

quick death, but not me. I'll

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

he casually tossed the whip aside and wiped his hands with a wet wipe, his voice cold

I shouldn't have wronged Holly. I deserve hell for my sins!" Gavin pleaded weakly,

words, Percival drove nails into Gavin's wrists

overwhelmed him, and

Percival emerged, Thomas was waiting outside, visibly shaken by the screams he'd heard. Despite knowing Abigail had sent another assassin for Gavin, her focus

Gavin was barely alive. It was Percival

concerned, Gavin was already

to the lab," Percival said, giving an

Thomas nodded, driving off.

arrival, Vivienne greeted them with a radiant smile, "Aunt Holly's

you, Vivienne. You've been

knowing how much Percival longed

Holly sat propped up against her

tears, "Victoria, you've

nestled into Holly's embrace, "Mom, finding you has been my

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

his

lowered her gaze, filled with remorse, "Percival, Victoria told me everything. You and Vivienne went through so much to save me, even after I cut ties with you. You never held it against me." "Aunt, there's no need for guilt. Regardless of the past, I've always cherished