The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne didn't bother with a reply; she simply lunged at "Delilah," foregoing her usual silver needles for a blast of her powers.

She had arranged for the Brooks family to be under protection, opting to only share the precarious situation with Leopold and Dorian. The directive was clear: if anything unusual happened, they were to whisk Cordelia and the others away to safety. That was precisely why she had signaled Mr. Wolf to head over. As long as Thaddeus was within their circle, he'd be safe.

However, she hadn't anticipated that Abigail would target Cordelia.

Dorian had always been particularly attentive to Cordelia. If she were in any danger, he would undoubtedly rush to her side.

Seeing Vivienne unleash her powers, "Delilah" couldn't help but smile smugly, her body effortlessly rising to dodge the incoming blast. "You're no match for me. Resorting to your powers is a death wish."

Vivienne's gaze was icy as she retorted, "And what if I add the Millennia Aegis into the mix?"

"Delilah" shot her a look of disbelief. "You've mastered the Millennia Aegis?"

As Vivienne attacked, the cold determination in her eyes was unmistakable. "You've been baiting me with that information, haven't you? Waiting for this moment?"

"Delilah" conjured a protective wave of light around her, yet the force of the energy made her stagger back.

Luckily, she had acquired a teleportation spell from the Wright family, allowing her to instantly move several feet away.

Steadying herself, "Delilah" looked at Vivienne thoughtfully, her smile widening. It seemed Vivienne's prowess only delighted her more.

"Excellent. It seems you've figured out how to wield it."

"The Grimshaw family, those fools, have guarded the Millennia Aegis for centuries without understanding its true purpose. Now that it's in your hands, you've saved me the trouble. I'll just take you with me, wait for Percival to show up, kill him right before your eyes, and my grand plan will be set into motion."

Hearing this, Vivienne's lips curled into a sneer of contempt. The notion of someone laying claim to Mr. Wolf's life was ludicrous on this earth. She would never allow it.

of staring at a face so similar to Cordelia's. With

Grimshaw family was oblivious to the artifact's purpose? You thought they were the fools, but you're the one being played." Abigail, who took great

like the ancient warrior lineage of the

the power at her disposal and the ambition that could help

honestly believe the Grimshaw family has spent centuries guarding the Millennia Aegis without

believe in your so-called grand plan. Instead,

pretenses, laughing wildly at Vivienne's words. "Those idiots, their limited understanding couldn't possibly grasp my vision. They'll thank me, worship me, for I

"The world belongs to everyone. It has nothing to do with you, nor will it ever be

end

voice dripping with bloodlust. "Vivienne, whatever happens today, you are destined to be

plan would have been in motion twenty years ago. Your mother is of no consequence now, and this time, no one

expression darkened. "You dared

raised an eyebrow, unphased. "Of course. Did you think

it wasn't for

you wouldn't be here today...

the best. Now, your heart

for what I

Young heart, young blood,

everything is just right."

voice was calm, but her eyes were searching, "You mean, you couldn't bring yourself to harm my mom because

her hand,

"There's no need for me to explain these things

alive." out

chill ran through Vivienne's