The Million-Dollar Heart

At the Grimshaw family's mansion.

Ever since Samantha was whisked away by that enigmatic man, she had plunged into unconsciousness.

It wasn't until nightfall that she began to stir, finally coming to.

Waking up, she was immediately hit by an all-over ache, as if she had been dismantled and poorly reassembled. Luckily, the damaged pathways within her had been expertly reconnected. As she mulled over this, the door creaked open, and a man strolled in.

Upon seeing him, Samantha flashed a smile, sultry as a siren's call. She rose to her feet and sidled up to him, her voice a soft drip of honey. "I knew you'd come for me." The man cast her a nonchalant glance, his voice sharp as ice. "Foolish!"

"I was careless this time. I didn't expect Vivienne to be so formidable. After all this time in hiding, she managed to find me." Samantha's voice was tinged with frustration.

That villa had cost her a pretty penny, fortified with barriers so sophisticated that even a master hacker might fail to pinpoint her sanctuary.

But she had overlooked one thing: Vivienne was no ordinary hacker. She was the Shadow Wolf!

A legend in the hacking world.

And her mother, Karen, was even more skilled than she.

The duo was not only evil but seemed to be at cosmic odds with Samantha herself.

The man watched her, expressionless, silent as stone.

Sensing his displeasure, Samantha purred, "With your skills, they won't find you."

A flicker of something passed through the man's eyes. He spoke, his voice deep and resonant, "When will you have what I want ready?"

"It will take time!"

His face darkened immediately.

just been rescued by you. Vivienne and Percival are scouring the city for me. I can't expose myself yet. Arrange a place for me to stay, and once things cool down, I'll

to regard her

found the research direction. I'm planning an upgraded version of ST-1 with a few more potent ingredients. It shouldn't be a

direction. But she had to say it. This man was nothing like Francis, so easy to deal with. She loved

Francis couldn't satisfy. Also, he was a talisman she sought for

ensnaring men with her beauty. Apart from Francis and the man before her, there were

sampled every flavor of man but never bore a

sure it's so. I have no use

his jawline, her voice a seductive spell,

who was clad in the silk lace nightgown he had chosen for her. The neckline plunged daringly, hinting at the treasures

last, he reacted. He gripped Samantha's head, his kiss fierce. She winced, not a touch of Francis' gentleness.

he tossed her back onto the bed, his body following in a swift motion. A

hours later, it

caressed her face. "This face, this body, still so enticing, and your skills... they improve, little temptress, but don't seduce me." Though Samantha was much older, in his presence, she seemed a

you're pleased. In time, you'll

defy age as well. Thankfully, though ST-1's effects on the face were short-lived, it maintained

thirty. Yet, she was not content. She yearned

pinched her cheek. "Your new place is arranged. Stay put, and don't show your face at the Grimshaw family, or you'll know the

"I

another word, he

curling. Such a carnivore, devouring the 'meal'

At Rivenwood

still hadn't awakened. Willa was there, tirelessly tending to her every

Vivienne's brows