The Million-Dollar Heart

The moment Dracon heard the news, he couldn't care less about the chaos around him and bolted upstairs.

"What are you all waiting for? Why haven't you started my dad's surgery?"

The doctor looked at Dracon helplessly, "Mr. Linklater, your father's condition is beyond our control. His blood pressure's through the roof, and we can't just operate willy-nilly. One wrong move, and he might...' Listening to the doctors detail the complications, Vivienne knew that the slightest slip during the operation could mean Yorick would never wake up.

Dracon was both furious and frantic. "Then what do you suggest we do? Just let my dad sit around waiting? Find someone who can operate right away. Money's no object. Just cure my dad!"

The doctors were at a loss, but after some thought, one spoke up, "Mr. Linklater, you mentioned a 'Specter Healer'? Is he here? If he is, there's definitely hope for your father!"

The others chimed in agreement, "Yes, yes, Specter Healer could save him, Mr. Linklater. Is he here?"

Dracon was momentarily stunned; he glanced downstairs, where Vivienne was chatting with Percival, oblivious to the urgency.

Following Dracon's gaze, the doctor mistook Percival for Specter Healer and hurried down to him, "You're the Specter Healer, right? Please, you must save Mr. Yorick Linklater. We're running out of time." Percival, with his arm around Vivienne, said, "I'm Specter Healer's husband. This is my fiancée. We understand the gravity of the situation, but we must be leaving now."

The doctor was taken aback and then looked at Vivienne with a mix of surprise and admiration.

Who would have thought that the Specter Healer was such a young lady?

"Specter Healer, I know it's a lot to ask, but Mr. Yorick's life is on the line. Please, we need you to stay and lead this operation."

Percival's fingers tensed, worry flickering in his eyes.

Vivienne tapped his waist reassuringly as if to say, "Don't worry, I'm here."

Only then did the urgency on Percival's face fade.

Vivienne smiled at the doctor. "May I ask which son of the Linklater family you are?"

doctor quickly explained, "I'm not one of Yorick's sons. I'm

understanding Vivienne's implication, turned to Dracon, "Mr. Linklater, she is the Specter Healer, renowned for bringing the dead back to

no choice but to plead with Vivienne, "Vivienne, please operate on my

Vivienne yawned. "I'm busy."

narrowed. "As a doctor, are you really going

a patient die is my call, depending on whether they're my patient. The decision

had never been treated like this,

Linklater, that's not an appropriate attitude to have when pleading. Mr. Yorick's life is at stake! Please! Just put down your pride for your father's sake!" The doctor did not know the tension between Vivienne and Dracon, but he could tell Vivienne was

and Yorick could not afford to wait for

let

his demeanor softening as he said, "Specter Healer, please save my father. Name your

eyed Percival and

reputation was

But this could work.

certain... respect," Vivienne said, her eyes half-lidded as

teeth, Dracon bowed

Vivienne, please

Vivienne relented. "Prepare

doctors, their hearts in their throats, had the operating room

later, the OR doors swung

stepped out

my dad?" Dracon

Vivienne

my dad, I swear you'll pay!" Dracon yelled