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?"

name, Hunter stirred, his pale

did you know...?"

chase, "You thought you hid well, but these things

the Wrights but from the ancient warrior lineage of the Edwards clan. Disowned for using your abilities for

end with infiltrating the Wrights. You used the family's assets to amass wealth, transforming the Wrights into your personal empire, all while the true Wrights remained oblivious to

Ms. Wright herself. Despite her deep affection, she tried to cover for you until you poisoned her with your own hands, eventually eliminating the entire

like it once was,

sought their own end; who can they blame?" Declan spoke without

merely a stepping

coldly eyed him, "With the Wrights under your thumb, you could do as you

needed. Our partnership was meant to show the Edwards-and everyone else that I could

handed Vivienne a chair, insisting, "Only the best

her aching back, "So, the heart thefts were your doing

"Not entirely. Sometimes, she took

how she uses these hearts?" Vivienne

refusing to indulge Vivienne's

they both

vengeance against Abigail for consuming your abilities, after all you've done for

bitterly, "As much as I'd love to know her whereabouts, I've said enough.

know

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 as well take it to

derisively.

"

are on the brink of bankruptcy. All those grand dreams you had?

"Bankruptcy?"