The Million-Dollar Heart

Click.

The moment the phone call ended, Godfrey's front door swung open again.

Vivienne glanced down at the huddled Martinez family by the doorway; her lips pursed into a slight smile. "Mr. Martinez, such formalities are hardly necessary."

"Everybody up, now!"

Stellan's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he glared at Leopold, sprawled out behind him.

A cluster of people awkwardly rose to their feet, their faces painted with awkwardness. "Uh, Ms. Hawthorn, we're really grateful for your help. Please, stay for dinner to thank you for taking care of my father."

Audrey, lounging on the sofa, glanced over and snorted disdainfully, then looked away, indifferent to whether Godfrey lived or died.

"Stellan, aren't you even gonna ask?" But she couldn't stand to see the Martinez family have it easy. "What if Ms. Hawthorn's treatment kills Dad?"

Griffin's retort was sharper, "Because we're not blind, we can see with our own eyes. Unlike you, sitting there like a frog in a well!"

As soon as Vivienne entered the room, she used her silver needles to stabilize Godfrey, halting his convulsions. The rest of her methods were a mystery to them.

But through the open door, they could see Godfrey's color improving under Vivienne's care. Clearly, her treatment was working.

Ignoring Audrey's sour expression, Griffin cuddled up to Vivienne. "You're amazing, Vivienne. You're my hero!"

Leopold beamed with pride at the compliments directed at Vivienne, more pleased than if they were for himself. "Of course, you've seen who Vivienne is with, right? Let me tell you, when it comes to medicine, there's no one better than her."

"Sucking up won't help you. Remember, you're paying for the scratch you put

Leopold pleaded with puppy-dog eyes, "Considering I'm your youngest junior, maybe we can forget about the

"Remember to pay

impromptu stunt left a glaring scratch on

the woods yet. He'll need a couple more treatments. This toxin is a new

you seem quite familiar with this," Stellan said, puzzled by her

away from the truth. "My mother encountered the same issue yesterday. Luckily, someone was with her, so the perpetrator

she thought the attack was solely targeting her mother. Turns out, it was

heavy. The enemy lurked in the shadows while she stood in the light. This adversary was proving

we have other matters today, so we'll be taking our leave," Vivienne

warrior lineages. See if there's a family known for using poison derived from insects. That's where this toxin comes from. The enemy is likely experimenting with a drug to control neural functions, which is

father

of that particular family, and Stellan

silent on the sofa. "Lancelot, let's not jump to conclusions without

This concerns my father, and I will investigate thoroughly. However, if he has another episode, we'll

wave, she said, "It's no trouble at all. Now, if you'll excuse us,

"Huh?"

You wrecked Vivienne and Percival's car; now get moving and take them

I'll take them. But why hit me? I only scratched Vivienne's car because of you! Partly your fault, too!" Griffin clung to Vivienne. "She didn't ask me to pay for it. You were driving; you pay up. Surely, you're going to say you can't even afford that much,

"Who said I can't?"

pride can't be challenged, especially not in matters of

afford it! It's just one car! Even if I wrecked all of Percival's cars, I could afford