The Million-Dollar Heart

Just two steps out the door, and Percival's deep voice halted him. "Come back."

Thomas froze mid-stride, protesting, "Percival, if we don't chase her down now, it'll be too late. We can't let Samantha get away again." Percival helped Vivienne to her feet, casting a dismissive glance at Thomas. "We're withdrawing!"

"But..."

Before Thomas could finish, Percival shot him a look that silenced him immediately.

Thomas couldn't understand why! With so many of them against one, couldn't they snatch Samantha from that person's grasp?

Leopold was just as baffled, but he could sense the strength in their adversary. Maybe Percival's reluctance to pursue was because their lives were more valuable than capturing one Samantha. The Nine Mystics Society didn't take orders from Percival.

Draven, looking toward Vivienne, inquired, "Young Master, shall we withdraw?"

Vivienne pulled two life-saving pills from her pocket, handing one to Percival and swallowing the other herself.

After ingesting her pill, she instructed Draven, "Everyone withdraw. Starting today, the Nine Mystics Society is on lockdown. No one leaves. Prepare our defenses."

Her words left Thomas and Leopold in a fog.

Samantha had escaped, and rather than chasing her down, they were ordered to prepare the Nine Mystics Society for defense.

What did this mean?

Draven, long accustomed to Vivienne's commands, understood her immediately, and with a grave expression, he confirmed, "Understood, Young Master. I'll initiate Level 2 Defense immediately." Thomas and Leopold were utterly confused.

Level 2 Defense? What was that? Was there a fight brewing?

The apprentices from Emerald Mountain didn't question it; they trusted that Vivienne had her reasons.

Draven led the Nine Mystics Society members away without another word.

Thomas and Leopold resignedly passed on the order for the

Mountain apprentices followed

Percival, Thomas, and

and improved version she had recently developed, with the help of research from ST-1, far more effective than

with a smirk. "Mr.

anger over Samantha's escape, and he smiled. "Indeed, we have. Let's head

running around has made

and Percival headed

and Leopold exchanged looks before reluctantly

the villa, Vivienne glanced back with a soft sigh, "Such a beautiful house,

tossed the miniature bomb she'd acquired from Samantha and

her move, grabbed her and

behind but still

"Boom!"

a burst of flames erupted behind them, reducing the top-level secured villa to rubble in the blink of an

Huxley found refuge within the

had uses for Vivienne, who, after medicating her, allowed her to reside with the

Huxley also ended up at the

deeds and would have refused them entry, but with just a word from Vivienne, she held her

close by and seeing Huxley, who had passed out upon arrival and

only did those things because I was threatened. My sister-in-law has already punished me. She's medicated me, and from now on, I'll listen to whatever

niece stupid or

is no more. Everything I did was for Huxley. Please forgive me." Cecilia, looking down at Mara, thought that if she had acted like this earlier, without causing trouble for Vivienne or

for Mara, orphaned so young, but now she somewhat regretted ever taking

From now on, work diligently for Vivienne and drop those crooked schemes,"

for Vivienne insisting on housing Mara and her brother, Cecilia wouldn't even