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.

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 set

regard

assured, I've found the research direction. I'm planning an upgraded version of ST-1 with a few more potent ingredients.

truth, she had no such direction. But she had to say it. This man was nothing like Francis, so easy to deal with. She loved Francis, but not that passionately. And

wild desire that Francis couldn't satisfy. Also,

ensnaring men with her beauty. Apart from Francis and the man before her, there were many others. Some had since entered their graves. Others were

of man but never bore a child

spoke coolly, "Make sure it's so.

slithered closer, her alabaster fingers tracing lightly along his jawline, her voice a seductive spell,

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

and at last, he reacted. He gripped Samantha's head, his kiss fierce. She winced,

he tossed her back onto the bed, his body following in

hours later,

Samantha. He 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

pleased. In time, you'll

her body had to defy age as well. Thankfully, though ST-1's

thirty. Yet, she was not content.

and don't show your face at the Grimshaw family, or you'll

Samantha nodded, "I

another word, he

Such a carnivore, devouring the

At Rivenwood

Willa was there,

Vivienne's brows knitted