The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Declan suddenly looked up, "I don't believe you've managed to shatter the Millennia Aegis."

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, "The shards of the Millennia Aegis are right here in my hand. Would you like to see for yourself?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Declan's eyes, but he quickly pressed on, "Where is she?"

Vivienne knew exactly who he was asking about.

With a cold laugh and her eyes sharp as ice, she said, "If she's not dead, she's probably licking her wounds in some remote forest corner. But without a proper heart to heal, she might resort to devouring the hearts of animals. Or worse, she might not be picky at all." Declan frowned, his tone icy, "That's impossible!"

Vivienne sighed, "You've gone to great lengths to keep all these secrets from the Watson family. How could I not retaliate against someone who's after my life?"

"You!"

Shock flashed in Declan's eyes, his face betraying his emotions, "You've actually dug into the Watson family!"

Vivienne had expected this reaction. "If I'm not mistaken, Derek probably stumbled upon your real motive behind building up the Wright family, leading to his untimely demise... The so-called disease of worry was just your cover-up after poisoning him." Realizing his emotions had betrayed him, Declan fell silent.

His mind, however, was in turmoil.

He hadn't expected Vivienne to investigate him so thoroughly.

Having gotten the reaction she wanted, Vivienne walked out without further delay.

Outside, Draven was waiting.

"Keep an eye on him. Don't miss any detail," Vivienne instructed before turning to enter the adjoining dark room where Percival was monitoring some equipment.

On the large electronic screen on the wall was Declan's image.

Hearing Vivienne's approach, Percival turned, "Just as you suspected. The equipment only reacted when the Watson family and Winston were mentioned." Vivienne's eyes narrowed slightly.

The bait was thrown. Whether it would lure Abigail out depended on how important the remnants of the Wright family were to her.

Handing off the equipment to a technician, Percival wrapped Vivienne in his coat, "It's too cold here for you. Let's go back."

Feeling Mr. Wolf's warmth envelop her, Vivienne nodded, and they left.

scent of something delicious wafted to Vivienne, making

"Thomas, stop the car!"

braked sharply, thankfully

Thomas and Percival both

announced,

the food street outside, then

"Something sour."

"Seems

Vivienne dismissed it, "Don't

stopping the car, the tantalizing aroma was even stronger. Following it, Vivienne and Percival found themselves in front of a quaint little diner, its sign reading "Pickled Fish"

checked the kitchen for

the diner's modest exterior, the inside was

Vivienne was astounded, "Are you sure

fish, "Don't worry, if we can't finish, Thomas will.

for Thomas,

and cozy in the car, Vivienne soon fell asleep

bed, her sleepy grip tightening

slept deeply

hospital for a checkup, owned by the Ellington family, with Percival by

leaving the staff tense with the pressure of not displeasing

rotted her

situation increasingly absurd. From

Mr.

into

the tension on his face had layered

en

the doctor beside her, "Just do your thing, don't mind

doctor managed a stiff smile, clearly wanting to ignore the tense atmosphere but

in a low voice, "Where's the

Vivienne was speechless.

on the monitor, "This... this is the baby. The embryo is developing well." Percival peered closely, then asked with genuine curiosity, "Is this pulsing dot the

The doctor nodded.