The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne furrowed her brow, a clear sign of confusion.

Colin seemed to read her mind. "Brianna isn't really a Wright; she was adopted," he explained, cutting through Vivienne's silent questions.

Vivienne was momentarily speechless. It was as if Colin had anticipated her arrival and the very questions she'd bring with her.

Without needing her to utter a word, he volunteered information freely.

Unlocking the door, Colin stepped back, "I know Ms. Hawthorn has a lot more to ask. Don't worry, I'll be just outside."

Without further hesitation, Vivienne gave Percival a look.

Responding to her silent cue, Percival kicked the door down with a forceful swing of his leg.

"Really, Mr. Wolf? No subtlety?" Vivienne couldn't help but comment.

Percival shrugged, "Sorry, Vivienne. My gentleness is reserved solely for you. Everyone else gets the boot."

Silence fell between them as they entered the dimly lit room, where Hunter was pinned against the wall.

The scene made it clear why Colin had managed to capture Hunter so effortlessly.

Percival raised an eyebrow, "He's lost his abilities."

Vivienne scoffed, "Cutting off the source after use. Must be how Abigail acquired her powers."

Without the gift, one resorts to theft.

Facing the barely conscious Hunter, Vivienne wasted no time, "Declan Edwards, how long will you keep up this charade?"

his true name, Hunter stirred, his pale face

know...?" he murmured,

hid well, but these things are easy

of the Edwards clan. Disowned for using your abilities for personal gain, you

the Wrights. You used the family's assets to amass wealth, transforming the Wrights into your personal empire, all

her deep affection, she tried to cover for you until you poisoned her with your own hands, eventually eliminating the entire Wright family to consolidate

is nothing like it once

can they blame?" Declan spoke without

the Wrights were merely a stepping stone

coldly eyed him, "With the Wrights under your thumb, you could do as you pleased. So, how

of cunning flashed in Hunter's eyes, "She offered something I needed. Our partnership was

chair, insisting, "Only

her aching back, "So, the heart thefts

"Not entirely. Sometimes, she took

how she uses these hearts?" Vivienne

refusing to indulge Vivienne's

glances with Percival, they both

you not seek vengeance against Abigail for consuming your abilities, after all you've done

much as I'd love to know her

eyes narrowed, "You seem to know her

dimmed, the light fading from his eyes as he resigned himself to his fate. "I'm a dead man walking anyway," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "Bringing this up now will only spell disaster for the Wrights. Might

derisively.

"

Natalia's Wrights are on the brink of bankruptcy. All those grand dreams you had? Poof. Gone. You really think you still have control over anything related to

"Bankruptcy?"