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

did you know...?" he

the chase, "You thought you hid well, but these things are easy to

Edwards clan. Disowned for using your abilities for personal gain, you vanished only

family's assets to amass wealth, transforming the Wrights into your

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

like it once

Wrights sought their own end; who can they blame?" Declan spoke without remorse, his

merely a stepping stone in his

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

Our partnership was meant to show the Edwards-and everyone else

insisting, "Only the best for

her aching back, "So, the heart thefts were

"Not entirely. Sometimes, she took

seen how she uses these hearts?" Vivienne

refusing to

both sensed the depth of the

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

laughed bitterly, "As much as I'd love to know her

seem to know her well. Who

gaze 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

derisively. "The

"

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

"Bankruptcy?"