The Million-Dollar Heart

Percival casually snapped off a twig and flicked away the power line in his path. Thankfully, he was in the garden; otherwise, he would have had to endure a jolt of electricity. But Finnian's test was not something to be taken lightly.

No sooner had Percival tossed aside the twig than a snake, tongue flickering, shot towards him along the branch.

That did it. Percival was livid. He grabbed the snake by its body and slammed it to the ground.

But as he did, something felt off.

Why was this snake so light?

Frowning, he glanced back at the pit he had passed and the discarded power line.

He decided to shut his eyes, ignoring anything else he might touch or sense.

Thirty seconds later, Percival reached the garden fence. With a firm kick, the fence collapsed. Only then did he open his eyes and turn to see that there was neither pit nor snake-just projections from a high- tech projector!

Finnian possessed the same kind of cutting-edge projector that Karen had been researching!

Percival's gaze sharpened, and some thoughts in his mind were now confirmed beyond doubt.

The only problem was the lack of evidence.

Stepping over the fallen fence, he approached the villa's main gate.

With the delay, Finnian was long gone.

Percival exhaled a sigh of resignation. When Vivienne woke up, she was going to be furious.

He would have to think of a way to sweet-talk her.

he was about to head back, he heard a loud noise behind him.

was up, the eight still

that won't fool me. Did

too fast.

800 billion!" Vivienne said with a vengeful tone before slipping her arm through Percival's. "Mr. Wolf, let's head back." Percival gave Vivienne a once-over.

all that, I can't sleep. Mr. Wolf, let's have a

glass, she stretched out her leg and hooked Percival's, her lips glistening in the dim light, enticing beyond words. "Mr. Wolf, do you want me to sit in your lap while we

and rolled up his sleeves with a decisive motion. "Or maybe, drink lying down?" Vivienne was startled, but in the next instant, Percival had flicked her leg aside, and his elbow came

and shattered, and Vivienne found herself pinned under

hint of flirtation, only threat

who the

lost their luster, like a light suddenly snuffed

taken aback and only realized the truth

It was a robot!

from a real person, even mimicking Vivienne's tone of voice? Then the robot's mouth opened, and a scroll fell that read, [Congratulations, you've passed the second trial. This is your reward.]

another

it a test of his resistance

he felt nothing for Vivienne, that would be a

carried the faux Vivienne to her bedroom, where the

sedative was indeed strong; even

immunity was part of this so-called

leaning against

Finnian relaxed on a sun lounger while a man

the Vivienne replica was not the real deal."

it was time to think about the

in a silent smile, seemingly privy to the

glanced at the unfinished bionic robot in a nearby room. "Aren't you worried about