The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Standing outside the door, Vivienne spoke in a detached tone, "How are you feeling?"

The place wasn't far from her research facility, one of the many ventures under her belt.

Bringing Colin here served a dual purpose: one, to better understand and neutralize the poison coursing through his veins; and two, because Declan, still useful for now, would not hesitate for a second to exploit dark magic to end Colin's life if he discovered his whereabouts.

Colin, with a bitter smile, looked down, "Ms. Hawthorn, you're well aware of my condition. Attempting any treatment on me is futile, a mere waste of your time."

Vivienne frowned. She had little patience for those who gave up on themselves before she even had a chance to weigh in.

Walking over to a table, she extracted a pack of silver needles from her coat but didn't rush to open it. "I'm the doctor here. Whether or not you can be cured is for me to decide, not you. I'm pressed for time, so you have a minute to consider your options."

"Of course, I can't guarantee a complete recovery, but for now, I can at least save your life."

After saying this, Vivienne fell silent, only watching Colin, who stood bathed in backlight by the door.

The sheer force of Vivienne's presence overwhelmed Colin. After all, eyes don't lie.

Vivienne was offering him help.

Thinking of Winston, waiting outside, Colin realized he was perhaps too pessimistic. He indeed couldn't afford to wallow in self-pity.

Within ten seconds, Colin had his answer, "Ms. Hawthorn, I'll accept your treatment."

Vivienne nodded, "Come here."

After checking his pulse, Vivienne instructed Colin to remove his shirt; she needed to block certain points near his heart with the silver needles to prevent the poison from causing an immediate death. In her eyes, there was no room for embarrassment or hesitation in the face of medical necessity.

However, the sight of numerous scars covering the intended areas for needle insertion made her frown, not out of disgust, but because it complicated the procedure.

Colin mistook her reaction, asking softly, "Did I frighten you?"

Without changing her expression, Vivienne turned to grab her needles, "I prefer not to be disturbed while I'm working."

Taken aback, Colin remained silent.

The treatment required the needles to be left in for a while.

to wash her hands, Vivienne noticed some books

Colin's face was

intending to stay a moment longer. She had to reach the Dorian residence by noon, as Mr. Wolf was away, and no

missing Cordelia's home-cooked

hurried to leave, Colin, clutching his chest, called out,

and turned, "What

inquired, "How

the Linklater family. If you're worried about him being left unattended after

deeply inhaling before sincerely thanking Vivienne,

be thanking

result of their own choices. "Had you not decided to seek me out, the Wright family would indeed be in ruins

Vivienne cut him off, "Only Robbie and Brianna remain. One's drowning in debt and desperation for money; the other's lost their mind. The Wright family is essentially no more." Hearing the fate of the remaining members made Colin close his

his head, he saw Vivienne stepping

Hawthorn!" He had something crucial to

one last minute. Say everything you need to, all

saw her visibly upset but

spared my grandfather because he possessed something vital, something that saved his

narrowed, "What

his head,

conversations were always secretive. But I suspect it's still with the Wright family; otherwise, Robbie wouldn't have desperately tried to stop me that

press further,

waiting for Colin to respond, she turned and

smiled faintly, hoping his information

the clinic, Vivienne dialed Draven, instructing him

Abigail coveted, she would undoubtedly attempt to

her was Vivienne's main

was after Abigail, the

Vivienne's car pulled up to the Brooks residence, it was already one o'clock in the afternoon. She had called ahead to

way, just to leave some food for

fine.

on the door, Cordelia promptly came to open it, "Vivienne, you've

up by