The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

When Leopold called again, Vivienne hit the reject button without a second thought.

Leopold had his merits, but subtlety wasn't one of them.

Forget his ancient warrior lineage for a moment; these days, with the Martinez family sheltered by the nation and holding the reins of weapon manufacturing, and Griffin being the sole heiress to the Martinez empire...

Marrying into that family would be a jackpot, even more so for Leopold. Yet, he hesitated. No wonder his nickname was "Husky." It was spot-on.

Percival, noticing her pout, chuckled and asked, "Still upset?"

Vivienne sighed, "What does Griffin even see in him?"

Percival weighed in objectively, "Well, Leopold might be a bit rough around the edges emotionally, but professionally? He's unmatched by his peers, perhaps even better."

After all the battles he'd charged into and missions he'd flawlessly executed, Percival, as a long-time friend and superior, had never doubted Leopold's capabilities.

Vivienne's lips curved into a smile, "Us folks from Emerald Mountain are never mediocre. Trust me, Griffin's making a smart bet this time."

If Leopold had even a breath left in him, he'd ensure he brought her back!

Percival raised an eyebrow, "That certain, huh?"

Vivienne nodded, her protective instincts kicking in, "Of course, I know my brother. He's no fool, contrary to what others might think."

Percival just smiled, letting the conversation drop.

Nearing noon, they finally headed towards their destination.

In a specially designed room, an elderly man sat against the light, legs crossed in a meditation pose, revealing only his back.

Vivienne paused at the door, turning to the person beside her, "How long has he been like this?"

Draven replied softly, "Since he was brought in. Not a word spoken, not a drop of water drunk."

about to ask further

that man named Colin

Wolf,

on a makeshift bed assembled from tables, his face and lips unnaturally pale, even

quickly applied acupuncture with a silver needle, sealing several of his major points.

Vivienne and Percival sitting nearby, a flicker of

sitting across from him, met his gaze briefly, "Let's

the incident with the Wright family, it was clear to her that

he wouldn't

up, said, "I'd like to ask Miss Hawthorn

raised an eyebrow, "You want to entrust Winston to

smile, "You guessed it.

informed him, "You're not going to die. The poison

his head, "It's

are identical to my father's. It seems harmless at first, even undiagnosable as poisoning, but by thirty, it's terminal.

pondered for a

before revealing, "Declan, your

actually from

but a

elife?

lineage. He practiced forbidden arts at

and your father

pale as death, "So it was him

was desperate to leave the Wright family...

with a pill, "This won't cure you but can extend your life by a year or two. I'll need to research to find a proper

was about to leave, Colin called out,

She turned back, "Yes?"

to uncover the

stuff in that

of everything Alyssa was up to She wasn't