The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The car swiftly reached its destination.

Perhaps sensing the presence of family, Winston's face turned to panic the moment they entered the inner room. Vivienne squeezed his hand, reassuring him. "Don't be scared. We can leave whenever you want."

But despite his fear, Winston didn't back down and followed Vivienne into the deepest room of the house.

Upon seeing the elderly man with white hair sitting inside, Winston whispered, "Grandpa, is that you?"

The man in the room jolted, turned around, and upon seeing Winston and then Vivienne, everything clicked in an instant.

He stretched out his hand, calling out to Winston with the same warmth he had shown at the Wright family gatherings, "Winston, come here to grandpa."

This was the first time Winston had seen Declan's face without the masks he wore at Wright family events. Winston felt a surge of unfamiliarity but mustered the courage to approach. Vivienne discreetly gave them space, standing a short distance away.

Ten minutes later, Winston walked back to her. "Grandpa and I had a chat. He said you had things to discuss, so I'll wait outside."

Vivienne patted his head, "Okay."

She signaled to Thomas to escort Winston back to the car.

Then she approached Declan.

Separated by a barrier, Declan accused, "You brought Winston here to threaten me!"

Vivienne scoffed, "Forgot to mention, Winston's now staying with the Linklater family. If I wanted to use him to threaten you, I wouldn't have waited till now."

"I brought him only to fulfill one of his wishes."

"The Linklater family?" Declan caught on to the key point and laughed, "Well, as long as he carries the blood of the Edwards family, what does it matter where he stays?" Vivienne found his words ironic. "If you truly consider Winston your kin, why use his blood to concoct a serum for your own escape plan?"

"Declan, your trust in Abigail is just as shallow."

expecting Vivienne to uncover so much so quickly. "You have that

the bush. "You have one option:

strike a deal with me?

gaze hardened. "What did Abigail

silent, clearly unwilling to

out?" Declan, his voice low, admitted, "If you've found the antidote, you must know

world, she's determined

she referred to

"Why Winston?" she asked, looking

Abigail's suspicion would surely uncover it. I couldn't take that risk. The antidote had to be placed in the least suspecting person." Vivienne's expression shifted.

it clear Declan had feelings for Winston, though how much was genuine

little emotion now. "The heir I chose for the Wright family must be capable of bearing such risks.

the Wright family, and only the true

Vivienne's brows furrowed.

didn't know what Declan told Winston, but she wouldn't

no more. Even if Winston carried its bloodline,

cut to the chase, "Hand over the antidote,

you think Abigail would rely on mere toxins as her

"Abigail seeks unconditional surrender from everyone.

has calculated everything. No matter the move, it won't affect her grand plan

pressed, "Besides the zealots, what else does Abigail have

gave

Vivienne was right.

crucial that Abigail was

"After all you've done for Abigail, what are you hoping to gain? Immortality or power and prestige?" Declan just laughed

room and uttered something that made Declan's face

it's the