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?"

true name, Hunter stirred,

did you know...?" he murmured, barely

but these

for using your abilities for personal gain, you vanished only to resurface as Mr. Wright, through marriage,

used the family's assets to amass wealth, transforming the Wrights

tried to cover for you until you poisoned her with your own

is nothing like

own end; who can they blame?"

a stepping stone in

could do

glint of cunning flashed in Hunter's eyes, "She offered something I needed. Our partnership was meant to show the Edwards-and

handed Vivienne a chair, insisting,

aching back, "So, the heart thefts were

"Not entirely. Sometimes, she took matters

seen how she uses these hearts?" Vivienne

refusing to indulge

both sensed the depth of

seek vengeance against Abigail for consuming your abilities, after all you've done for her?" Percival

as I'd love to know her whereabouts, I've

narrowed, "You seem to know her well. Who is

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.

"

bankruptcy. All those grand dreams you had? Poof. Gone. You really think you still have

"Bankruptcy?"