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?

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

opened the door,

Mark's thumb for a print, and walked out, leaving behind a chilling command, "Throw him into the

betray you again. Please, you can kill me, but don't send me

Draven was stunned

kennel of ferocious dogs used to punish traitors. For years, no

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

clear how much Mark's betrayal

of sympathy. A simple betrayal might have ended with poison, but Mark had joined GTO, the organization that had killed Vivienne's mother, and she was relentless in her quest for vengeance against it,

had dealt with many from GTO, but none

had previously dealt with were not directly involved in her mother's death. They were not GTO's boss, and she never had any personal grudge against them. Thus, if they

she trusted Mark. Plus, she was attached to

throw Mark into the hound pit. If he were betrayed by someone

the exit, hearing Mark's begging, she smiled, a poisonous bloom. "I'm a 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

Mark's last hope. He sat, mouth

waiting, having overheard everything. Mark's betrayal was now

would not forgive

always been absent, and that only seemed more accurate

are the head of

Mark's will. It stated that upon his

dead was irrelevant. What mattered was

he could obtain complete control of the Miller

disappoint you. I promise, the Miller family will never

filled with