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."

not expecting their grandfather, who usually

the door? I want to come in and see

the door creaked

room. It was a far cry from comfort, with cobwebs in the corners and a musty smell pervading. Alyssa's bed was just

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

and it will fall asleep," Alyssa whispered, noticing

head, her hands trembling, "I can't,

massive wolfhound woke up, its strong limbs and formidable build striking fear.

the wolfhound had a wide range of

too scared to move, thought of returning the next

pale and tearful, begged, "Please, just throw this into its mouth. It won't bark then.

humiliation Vivienne brought upon her, gripped the

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 stone, and threw

reach, and as it opened its mouth to howl,

courage, she retreated, signaling Alyssa with

bruised, reassured her, "Don't worry. Once the

slumber, Brianna approached Alyssa, her voice filled with

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

Alyssa managed to mask

Brianna pouted, clearly displeased,

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

anywhere around the house