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."

was taken aback, not expecting their grandfather, who usually favored Alyssa, to be this

want to come in and see you,"

moment, the

with cobwebs in the corners and a musty smell pervading. Alyssa's bed was just as dilapidated. Disgusted,

turning her pale with fear. She looked at

Just feed it this, and it will fall

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

up, its strong limbs and formidable build striking fear. Its eyes glinted

chained, the wolfhound had a wide range of movement, except near

the next day. After all, Alyssa would

pale and tearful, begged, "Please, just throw this into its mouth. It

humiliation Vivienne brought

the extra sedatives my brother brought me, I'd have run out by now."

couldn't reach, and as it opened its mouth to howl, she threw the

she retreated, signaling

chained and bruised, reassured her, "Don't worry. Once the drug dissolves in its mouth, it can't spit

fall back into a deep slumber, Brianna approached Alyssa,

of her former self, sat on the bed, stripped of

brings you here to see me?" Alyssa managed to mask

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