The Million-Dollar Heart

Mark knew his fate was sealed. Betraying the Nine Mystics Society and harming his brethren had left him no escape.

His only option now was to divulge what he knew about GTO to save his own skin.

"Young Master, my latest orders were to shift our operations to Sea City and locate someone named Imogen to await further instructions. That's all I was told, Young Master. Please, can you spare my life?" Vivienne's eyes narrowed.

Imogen had fled to Sea City, the turf of the Perez family.

Mark continued to plead as a tear traced his cheek.

Vivienne brushed off the man's insincere tears and pressed, "Once in Sea City, how will you find Imogen?"

"I don't know, but our base there is at a virus research facility. I haven't been given details."

Seizing a thread of hope, Mark blurted out, "Young Master, I'll make amends. I'll go to Sea City, uncover the research facility, and deliver this woman, Imogen, to you. I swear I'll complete the mission."

His voice was urgent, punctuated by fits of coughing that suddenly brought forth blood. His heart felt pierced with a thousand needles, suffocating him with pain.

Vivienne stood, dusted off her jacket, and said indifferently, "I gave Flynn a poison that's tearing him apart from the inside. Yours is a hundred times stronger. You'll spend every moment in agony." Mark collapsed, his face ashen.

No one knew better than him the potency of the Young Master's poisons.

His pleas were in vain.

Just as he thought this was the harshest punishment, Vivienne spoke slowly, "You think this is enough?"

Mark shuddered.

Was there something worse waiting for him?

you joined the Nine Mystics Society, death would never be the best outcome. For a traitor... even a death

opened the door, Draven entered. "Young

for a print, and walked out, leaving behind a chilling command, "Throw

escalated to a fevered pitch, "Young Master, I beg you. I'll never betray

Draven was stunned

owned a private kennel of ferocious dogs used to punish traitors. For years, no human had

dared to cross her. She had hoped she would never have to use

was clear how much Mark's betrayal had infuriated

but Mark had joined GTO, the organization that had killed Vivienne's mother, and she was relentless in her quest for vengeance against it, swearing to

dealt with many from GTO,

had any personal grudge against them. Thus, if they did not cross

she trusted Mark. Plus, she was attached to all Nine

understand why Vivienne would throw Mark into the hound pit. If he were betrayed by

law-abiding citizen. Why would I kill? Don't you worry, you won't die. You'll be tended to every day, year after year unless I die. That's when

Mark's last hope. He sat, mouth agape,

having overheard everything.

course, would not forgive

father had always been absent, and that only seemed more

said, "From today, you are the head of the Miller family. Everything is

stated that upon his death,

Aaron, whether Mark was truly dead was irrelevant. What

he could obtain complete control of the Miller

you. I promise, the Miller family

was filled with