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."

Remember, you're paying for the scratch you put on

your youngest junior, maybe we can forget about the car,

subtly. "Remember to

Wolf's car was basically hers, too. The car was barely a day old when Leopold's impromptu stunt left a

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

quite familiar with this," Stellan said, puzzled by

same issue yesterday. Luckily, someone was with her,

she thought the attack was solely targeting her mother. Turns

in the shadows while she stood in the light. This adversary was proving to be even trickier than the

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

Martinez, if you're confused, maybe look into the ancient warrior lineages. See if there's a family known for using poison derived from insects. That's where this

saying my father was poisoned with that stuff? Stellan,

of that particular

he glanced at Vivienne, then subtly at Audrey, silent on the sofa. "Lancelot, let's not jump to conclusions

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

nonchalant wave, she said, "It's

"Huh?"

him lightly. "What do you mean, 'huh'? You wrecked Vivienne and Percival's car; now get moving and take

punch wasn't gentle, and Leopold winced. "I'll 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

"Who said I can't?"

in matters of

It's just one car! Even if I