The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the midst of chaos, out of nowhere, a figure lunged towards the center of the commotion, a blood-dripping knife in hand, aiming straight for Vivienne and Percival. "Vivienne, Percival, this is the end for you!" She remembered vividly, it was Percival's henchmen who had forcefully taken her aboard that dreadful ship where they broke her limbs without mercy.

And later, to compel her into submission, they severed the tendons in her limbs.

Ever since, she harbored a deep-seated desire to exact her revenge on the pair.

Upon hearing the commotion, Vivienne merely lifted her gaze and, with a swift motion, sent the attacker flying five meters away with a powerful kick before the blade could even graze her.

The assailant hit the ground, coughing up blood, yet refused to relinquish the opportunity to end the lives of her targets.

As Vivienne approached, the assailant, with a determined grasp on the knife and a last-ditch effort, lunged at Vivienne, desperation fueling her attack.

But Vivienne caught her hand effortlessly, the blood from the knife dripping onto her clothes.

A malevolent glint flashed in the eyes of the fallen woman.

Charlotte, who was nearby, noticed the tell-tale red spots on the attacker's arm and went pale with fear. "Vivienne, get away from her, she's got an infectious disease!"

Hearing the words "infectious disease," Percival's face turned ashen. He quickly pulled Vivienne to safety and, using his powers, flung the attacker away.

"Vivienne, we need to get you out of those clothes now!"

The disheveled woman struggled to her feet, spitting blood continuously.

However, upon seeing Percival's protective stance over Vivienne, she let out a raspy laugh filled with vindication.

"Heaven has eyes!"

"Indeed, heaven does watch over us!"

"Vivienne, always so aloof, let's see how you fare in your next life after enduring the same vile afflictions that have plagued me." Members of the Nine Mystics Society quickly restrained the woman, intending to hand her over to their young master for judgment.

Upon seeing the woman's face, marked by a distinct scar, even Charlotte was taken aback. "My God, are you... Arabella Hawthorn?"

The name, long unspoken, triggered a profound reaction in Arabella, who glared at Charlotte with the ferocity of a cornered beast. "Don't you dare call me that name. I am not Arabella!"

Years of forced encounters, abortions, and confinement in a damp, cramped room had taken their toll on her, both physically and mentally.

advising her to assume the identity of Paula Brooks and seek refuge with the Miller family in

month, succumbing to the brutal whims of

before her death, she had revealed a

Mr. Wolf, also known as Percival, hastily removed her contaminated clothes and draped his jacket

speak. Thomas is fetching the first aid

Vivienne, "..."

Mr. Wolf had overlooked a crucial

Specter Healer, she could

to

meticulously clean every drop of blood from her skin with alcohol

feared if she didn't speak up, Mr. Wolf might succumb to undue

Wolf, my years of research into poisons have made me immune to

the hospital!" Vivienne sighed, "Mr. Wolf, believe me, diseases carried in the blood pose no threat to skin without

him her unblemished arms and legs,

looking up at

bit exasperated, "Mr. Wolf, you've forgotten. Our training and abilities have altered our bodies. External threats can't

knowingly put herself in danger, but the initial

wanted was for his Vivienne to

Percival down,

the trouble to seek death, she saw no reason not

now restrained by the car, watched as Vivienne approached, the Nine Mystics Society members bowing

to leave; she intended to

three months, you'll

could finish, Vivienne's foot connected with her chest in a

Abigail who rescued

from pain, couldn't muster a response, barely able to open her mouth without

she contemplated her next move. "Arabella,

with hatred, staring

a mocking laugh, her voice light and airy, "Oh, darling, hate to break it to you, but Paula?

bloodshot, her whole body trembling with rage as she struggled against the ropes that bound her. She wanted nothing more than to tear Vivienne's

"That's impossible!"

I am Katara, the sole heiress of the

you say? As

her eyes,