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.

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 up

continued to regard her

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

This man was nothing like Francis, so easy to deal with.

couldn't satisfy. Also, he

her obsession, not Francis'. Francis loved her and wanted to be immortal with her. But for her, immortality was about forever ensnaring men with her beauty. Apart from Francis and the man before her, there were many others. Some had since entered their graves.

every flavor of man but never

spoke coolly, "Make sure it's so. I have no use

lightly along his jawline, her voice a seductive

nightgown he had chosen for her. The neckline plunged daringly, hinting at the

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

the bed, his body following in a

later, it

"This face, this body, still so enticing, and your skills... they improve,

you're pleased. In

well. Thankfully, though ST-1's effects

she was not

arranged. Stay put, and don't show your face at

Samantha nodded, "I only

word, he turned

curling. Such a

At Rivenwood

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

Karen, Vivienne's brows knitted