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?”

for Thomas to help him with his wheelchair. He just opened the car door and got out. He scanned the crowd, for the figure he saw

out of the car and walked up to him, asking, “What’s going

gaze, “Nothing,

other

entered the VIP ward. She stood at the ward door, looking at the

Vivienne rested her hand on the

of the little girl’s bright, clear eyes gave her pause. If only someone had helped her ten years ago, she wouldn’t have had to

hand, feeling very delighted. She’d caught a glimpse of someone outside the ward who resembled the lady who’d saved her, so she ran out without thinking. To her surprise, it was really

holding hers, then up into Isolde’s clear eyes. Her heart was inexplicably softened. She gave a small smile, “Yes, I came to see

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

was pulled along by her, unconsciously entering the ward

see

of some things and saw you

a glass of water, “Please, have a

turned to Isolde, “I’m here to check

smiling, “Great.”

always hated it when doctors examined her. She’d 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.

medical knowledge she possessed to check her pulse. After

poison had already infiltrated her organs. Some of the toxins had been cleared,

of worry, “Is our young miss okay, Ms.

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

lit up. “Can my face

“Yes.”

“As long

but I have one condition. You can’t tell anyone I’m treating you, not

Better play it safe.