The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival had everything at the hospital squared away in no time.

After a brief exchange at the doorstep, Vivienne and Sasha went their separate ways.

On the ride back, Percival couldn't help but notice the troubled look on Vivienne's face. "You think Abigail is behind this?" he ventured.

Vivienne pursed her lips, "It's just... the poison in Daphne's system, it seems familiar."

In the dead of night.

"Boom-"

A loud explosion echoed from the southwest.

Vivienne shot up from her bed, and there, by the window, stood Mr. Wolf. He turned, a grave look on his face, "Vivienne, the Perez family's been hit."

Her heart tightened, tossing the covers aside, she leapt up, "What happened?"

Percival was there, steadying her, "Dad called. The Perez's were attacked, someone lobbed ten mini bombs over their estate. The military's already been dispatched for search and rescue." A cold fury settled in Vivienne's eyes, "We're heading there now."

Arriving at the Perez estate, they found Sasha and Arthur already there.

Arthur, worried about Vivienne's well-being especially since she was over three months pregnant, hesitated to let her go further.

But Vivienne couldn't care less about her own state at that moment, turning to Sasha, she asked, "Mom, is anyone hurt? How about grandpa?"

Sasha, her face set in a grim line amid the chaos, replied, "It's still unclear. Stick with me, we'll go in and rescue them first."

"Okay!"

Without another word, they plunged into the fray, with Arthur and Percival following close behind, anxiety written all over their faces. The Perez estate was now nothing but rubble.

Every step they took on the debris-filled ground fueled Vivienne's rage. Whoever dared to target the Perez family would pay dearly. Following the layout etched in their memories, Sasha and Vivienne first reached Jasper's residence, already a hive of rescue activity. Sasha, frantic, called out, "Dad, where are you? It's Sasha..."

vantage point, soon heard

Uncle Luke's

about five

they cleared the rubble, the

her brows

only Luke was there,

Sasha's eyes brimmed with tears, "Bro, Dad, are

I still have the strength, get him out. He's got a back injury that can't wait." Sasha took

Luke, pale but determined, "Uncle Luke, how are you holding

waste time on me. Your aunt has gone to save Natalia and Yasmine. I'm worried she can't handle

making sure the medics were with Luke, Vivienne turned to leave when a panicked shout stopped her, "The structure's going

instant, she unleashed her powers, forming a

slowing time

Percival saw Vivienne disperse the debris with her formidable power. He couldn't stop her, only wrapping her in his energy to prevent

although seasoned warriors, had never witnessed such

of the War

a battlefield would send enemies fleeing

was in good hands, they hurried to join the

a stretcher, encountered Sasha and Arthur, urging, "Go assist Vivienne, keep her

an ancient warrior lineage, he was no stranger to the power of

using such force was bound to take its

Sasha, after ensuring Luke was safely en route

protected by their valiant

saved, but their parents were still

leg pinned under debris, their hearts ached

that had given

the children in tears, shivering in the

when Percival beat her to

hope sparkled in the children's eyes, "Are you here

their faces, "Don't worry,