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.

expose myself yet. Arrange a place for me to stay, and once things cool down,

continued to regard her in

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

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

wild desire that Francis couldn't satisfy. Also, he was a talisman she sought for herself and

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

flavor of man but

"Make sure it's so.

fingers tracing lightly along his jawline,

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

serpentine grace twisted upon him, and at last, he reacted. He gripped Samantha's head, his kiss fierce. She

following in a swift motion.

hours later,

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

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

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

she was not content. She yearned to be

man 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

he turned and

his retreat, lips curling. Such a

At Rivenwood

awakened. Willa was there, tirelessly tending

Vivienne's brows knitted tightly