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.

given her a glimmer of hope, advising her to assume the identity of Paula Brooks and

didn't survive a month, succumbing to the brutal whims

she had revealed a secret about Arabella's

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

speak. Thomas is fetching the first

Vivienne, "..."

seemed Mr. Wolf had overlooked

rendered her immune to most toxins. Furthermore, as a Specter Healer, she could easily diagnose Arabella's

heading to the

every drop of blood from her skin

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

into poisons have

at the hospital!" Vivienne sighed, "Mr. Wolf, believe me, diseases carried in the

him her unblemished arms and legs, "See, not a scratch

looking up

you've forgotten. Our training and abilities have altered our bodies. External threats can't harm us unless they enter our system."

herself in danger, but the initial shock had left him momentarily paralyzed

for his Vivienne to

Percival down, Vivienne

seek death, she saw no reason not

as Vivienne approached, the

signaled for them to leave; she

in three months, you'll be in agony...

finish, Vivienne's foot connected with her chest

Abigail

from pain, couldn't muster a response, barely able to

contemplated her next move. "Arabella,

eyes widened with hatred,

airy, "Oh, darling, hate to break it to you, but Paula? She isn't your real mother. Not by a long shot. You two don't share a

struggled against the ropes that bound her. She wanted nothing more than to tear Vivienne's lying

"That's impossible!"

Arabella; I am Katara, the sole heiress of the

you say?

narrowed her eyes,