The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Brianna's face fell, her eyes darkening as her nails dug deep into her palms. "The one who's been making my life hell is none other than Vivienne Linklater! And the person who embarrassed Alyssa in front of everyone? That was her too?"

"It was her mother, Sasha's, doing. But Vivienne played her part. Alyssa, that poor thing, thought Sasha came from a nobody family. Turns out, she's Sasha Perez, of the Perez lineage. Alyssa not only failed to bully her but ended up dragging the Wright family's name through the mud," the man replied, his voice laced with a chill.

Brianna snorted disdainfully, "She thought she had our grandfather wrapped around her finger, that she could do whatever she pleased. What a joke. I bet Danielle hasn't let her off easy." She couldn't help but revel in the misfortune.

The man raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, "You know what I mean. She's in the first room right as you enter the last mansion. Go touch up your makeup; don't let yourself be overshadowed." Brianna nervously touched her face, "I got it, brother."

The mention of the last mansion sent a shiver down her spine, signaling the gravity of Alyssa's mistake in their father's eyes.

After making sure her makeup concealed any trace of her distress, Brianna headed to the last mansion.

The walls of the last mansion were conspicuously pristine, surrounded by gardens of white roses.

But Brianna knew this beauty was just a facade, a superficial peace masking the real purpose.

She cautiously entered, heading directly to the first room on the left. The white door looked freshly painted as she hesitantly knocked, receiving no response.

Softly, she called out, "Alyssa, I heard you're in there. Can you hear me?"

"It's me, Brianna. Did you come to see me?" Alyssa's voice trembled from inside, mixed with faint sobs.

Brianna frowned but asked gently, "Did Dad say when he'll let you out?"

Pressing her ear against the door, Alyssa's voice was barely audible, "Grandfather said, after tonight, I can come out."

aback, not expecting their grandfather, who usually favored Alyssa,

to come in and see you,"

a moment, the door creaked

scanning the dreary room. It was a far cry from comfort, with cobwebs in the corners and a musty smell pervading. Alyssa's bed was just as dilapidated. Disgusted, Brianna thought their

her eye, turning her pale with fear. She looked at Alyssa, who was in tears, her appearance

it this, and it will

shook her head, her hands trembling, "I can't, Alyssa. I'm too

limbs and formidable build striking fear. Its eyes glinted menacingly as it panted,

chained, the wolfhound had a wide range of movement, except near Alyssa's sleeping

the next day. After all, Alyssa would be

"Please, just throw this into its mouth. It won't bark then. I get so scared hearing

the humiliation Vivienne brought

too clever to eat anything off the ground. If it weren't for the extra sedatives my brother brought me, I'd have run out by now." Taking a deep breath, Brianna backed towards the door, picked up a

and as it opened its mouth to howl, she

she retreated, signaling

reassured her, "Don't worry. Once the drug dissolves

wolfhound fall back into a deep slumber, Brianna approached Alyssa, her voice filled with concern, "You've been

on the bed, stripped of the Wright family

brings you here to see me?" Alyssa managed to mask the fear in her eyes, a faint sparkle flickering

Brianna pouted, clearly displeased,

arms with Alyssa's and gave a playful shake. "Alyssa, of course, I was worried sick about

anywhere around the house