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.

explained, "I've 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

regard her in

version of ST-1

This man was nothing like Francis, so easy to deal with. She loved Francis, but not that

satisfy. Also, he was a talisman she sought for herself and

But for her, immortality was about forever ensnaring men with

sampled every flavor of man but never bore

demeanor softened slightly. He spoke coolly, "Make sure

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

at Samantha, who was clad in the silk lace nightgown he had

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

bed, his body following in a swift

hours later, it

dressing unhurriedly, gazing down at Samantha. He caressed her face. "This face, this body, still so enticing, and your skills... they improve,

as you're pleased. In time, you'll savor this

had to defy age as well. Thankfully, though ST-1's effects on the face were

Yet, she was

new place is arranged. Stay put, and don't show your face at the Grimshaw family, or you'll

"I only want

another word, he turned and

a carnivore, devouring the 'meal' and then forgetting

At Rivenwood

awakened. Willa was there, tirelessly tending to

Vivienne's brows knitted