The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Brianna swallowed nervously, afraid to speak further.

Colin poured a glass of water and handed it to her, his demeanor returning to its usual calm, "How many times have I told you? You need to stay composed. What's got you so jumpy now?"

Taking a sip of water, Brianna caught her breath, "Bro, I was just about to talk to you about it. Guess who I ran into when I got back?"

Colin's eyes darkened slightly as he asked, "Who?"

Brianna's eyes widened, "Grandpa. I saw him dressed all in black, coming back from outside as I was leaving the garage. I thought it was a burglar at first and got the scare of my life, only to realize it was Grandpa."

Recalling the incident sent shivers down Brianna's spine as if Grandpa Hunter was still lurking around.

Colin squinted, a slight tension appearing on his pale face, "Are you sure it was Grandpa you saw?"

"Absolutely. I'd recognize Grandpa's voice anywhere, not to mention that mask... Who in our family wouldn't?"

Brianna bit her lip, frowning in confusion, "I just don't get what Grandpa was up to. He seemed so secretive, almost like he didn't want to be seen..."

Colin kept his cool, "You're curious?"

Brianna was startled and quickly shook her head, "Curious? No way. I don't want to end up like Alyssa, missing without a trace..."

"Bro, you have no idea. Lately, the servants have been hearing noises from the old castle behind our property in the middle of the night. It's eerie, like something creeping up from underground." This piqued Brianna's interest despite herself.

"But it's weird. I went down to the last floor of the castle looking for Alyssa before, but she wasn't there. So, whose voice was it?"

Colin settled back into his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest, "What's the rush? We only have three days left until Grandfather's decree takes effect."

Brianna squinted, "You mean Alyssa will be released in three days."

"I thought she'd be lucky to escape with her life this time."

Colin glanced at Brianna indifferently, "She's not so easy to get rid of. She still has her uses."

has

Brianna of something Hunter had

precious daughter. But what good does that do? Look at her age; it's debatable whether she'll even marry off." Colin saw through it all, "If

ambition lit in Brianna's eyes,

Linklater family to be forgiven and accepted back

what she did to the Linklaters, Arthur would have killed her himself if

It seemed nearly impossible.

why she needs your help-to disappear

elder brother be too preoccupied to

laid out the pros and cons before

Wright family's assets, but she couldn't stand being overshadowed by

once you're in charge, you'll help me deal with that

hesitation, Colin agreed,

if remembering something, poking her head back in, "Bro, I forgot to tell you, Grandpa's hurt. Maybe this is your chance to get in his good graces." Colin nodded gently, his expression softening until

indeed a part of

a pill from the drawer as

voice came through, "Forgot to mention, the person you ran into today is also one of mine.

Hunter frowned, "Our person?"

"Who is he?"

tell you just yet. Maybe you'll meet when the time

glanced at his injured

the Nine Mystics Society to be so skilled,

hummed in acknowledgment, then instructed, "Those are inconsequential. Put aside what you're doing;

arrival, Leopold tactfully took a cab home, not wishing to third-wheel any

effortlessly found the first aid kit in the TV cabinet, instructing Percival to sit

serious if not treated

charmed by her seriousness, reassured her, "Vivienne, it's just a

"Nothing?" Vivienne narrowed her

her

teasingly close to his abs.