The Million-Dollar Heart

Chapter 9

Vivienne returned to her own bedroom and walked to the window, her expression extremely serious. She thought about the little girl she had just saved at the entrance of the mall, her brow furrowed tightly.

She had spotted it instantly. The girl was poisoned, and not just by any poison but a potent one concocted by her own mother that could mutilate the face if it took effect. Before her mom passed, someone had come to snatch the formula for the poison. It had taken her years to figure out the antidote.

Vivienne tapped her fingers lightly against the window sill, deep in thought. Time was running out for the girl. Who in the world took the poison formula, and why on earth would they poison a kid?

Vivienne ceased her tapping, pulled out her phone and dialed Matthew.

“Can you check if any hospital admitted a five–year–old girl with sores all over her face today?”

Matthew responded with a quick “okay” and hung up. Vivienne leaned against the window with her phone in hand, waiting quietly. About half an hour later, Matthew called back, “Found her. She’s in the VIP ward in Havenwood Hospital’s internal medicine department.”

“Alright, got it.”

Two days later.

Vivienne arrived at Havenwood Hospital. As she got out of the cab and walked into the hospital, a black sedan zoomed past her.

Inside the car, Percival caught sight of Vivienne in the rear–view mirror. His eyes narrowed instantly, “Stop the car.”

Thomas hit the brakes hard, sending everyone lurching forward. He turned to ask, “What’s up, Mr. Ellington?”

him with his wheelchair. He just opened the car door and got out. He scanned the crowd, for the figure he saw earlier but couldn’t find her.

of the car and walked up to him, asking,

gaze, “Nothing, let’s go.”

the other

VIP ward. She stood at the

rested her hand on

toughest decisions she’d ever made in her life. Getting involved could blow her cover. Her mother’s affairs were complicated, and she needed to remain low–key. But the thought of the little girl’s bright, clear eyes gave her pause. If only someone had

here to see me?” Isolde asked, her eyes sparkling as she grabbed Vivienne’s hand, feeling very delighted. She’d caught a glimpse of someone

clear eyes. Her heart was inexplicably softened.

come to see me,” Isolde said excitedly, tugging at Vivienne’s hand. “Miss, can we go

her, unconsciously entering the ward room.

see

some things and saw you guys here, so I

a glass of water,

“I’m

nodded, smiling, “Great.”

only behave a little when Percival was around, but as soon as he left, no one could touch her. Yet now, she was voluntarily extending her hand to Ms. Hawthorn, so well–behaved

check her pulse. After a moment, Vivienne’s brow furrowed deeply and her complexion

Some of the toxins had been cleared, but

a twinge of worry, “Is our young miss okay, Ms. Hawthorn?”

out to stroke Isolde’s head, speaking softly, “I can cure your disease, but

“Can my face go back to the way

“Yes.”

“As long as you’re here, I’m not scared.”

“Good, but I have one condition. You can’t tell anyone I’m treating

thought: Better play it safe.