The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 1113

The moment the large-scale search kicked off, Gregg hesitated before finally pulling out his phone and dialing that number. In the dead of night, Mayor Thompson was jolted awake by the call, staring at the familiar name on his screen in silence.

Mrs. Thompson, disturbed by the ringing, opened her eyes and found it odd to see her husband sitting up in bed, transfixed by his phone. "Who's calling at this hour?" she murmured.

Mayor Thompson remained silent, prompting Mrs. Thompson to lean closer and breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing Gregg's name. "Why aren't you answering?"

"He's never called this late before." An uneasy feeling brewing in his heart, Mayor Thompson finally answered the call as he threw on his robe.

"What's happened?" His voice was deep and concerned.

Gregg quickly explained the situation, causing Mayor Thompson's face to turn ashen.

He knew instantly who was behind this, a rush of shame and anger propelling him to grab his coat and head outside.

Mrs. Thompson barely caught her husband's angry bellow, "Quick, send more men to guard the cabin, they must not take anyone!"

Had their plan been compromised?

Tossing thoughts around, she too rose from bed to follow Mayor Thompson.

By the time they reached the woods, the sight of the ground littered with items left them speechless. Only Vivienne, in Mayor Thompson's mind, could have managed such a feat against the wild beasts in such a short time. "Follow me!" Mayor Thompson led the way toward the cabin.

On the way, Gregg couldn't get through to the two men stationed at the cabin. "Mayor, I can't reach them either."

With a grim expression, Mayor Thompson quickened his pace while ordering his men to encircle the entire woods. "No one's escaping this time!"

In the meantime, Vivienne and Percival, after a long observation that only they remained, wasted no time. Vivienne directly aimed her bow and arrow and let it fly.

With a "whoosh," the arrow struck one of the men on the left, who collapsed without a breath.

man instantly became alert, scanning the

post or flee, attempting instead to coax the enemy out with words. "Don't think you're safe in the shadows; once I

he allowed Vivienne

me," she said, patting

their pursuers catching up, Vivienne instructed

rustling sounds came from the woods, and the man aimed his gun

him, a

man's eyes widened in recognition.

laugh. "You're talking to me about good

I

how do you plan to

stepped closer with

trying to raise his weapon at Vivienne, but he

in, fear filled the man's

"Who exactly are you?"

voice trembled with terror. Satisfied by his fear, Vivienne slowly raised her bow, pressing the arrow against

makeshift arrow plunged into his forehead, blood trickling down

of Vivienne intensified;

the locked door, pressing a concealed button nearby, revealing a keypad.

his head defiantly. "Even in death, I won't

then launched

"Then die."

his head, coughing blood, and soon

on the keypad, pressing the

joined Vivienne, and they pushed

larger than expected, more

closed the door, and they began

a labyrinth, vast and sprawling with numerous underground levels. Searching slowly wouldn't work if they wanted to find anyone before their enemies arrived. "Let's split up. Although I've