The Million-Dollar Heart

At this very moment, even a brief second of tranquility was more than Ramona could bear.

She had been rattled to her core by the surveillance footage, tears streaming down her face as she screamed, "This is it! I've said all I can say! Please, please let me go! I haven't even started anything! It wasn't me who messed with your mom; it was all the Grimshaws. I was cornered. I was truly forced!"

Vivienne settled back on the couch, her gaze drifting lightly over Ramona. It was unclear whether she believed her or not. She crossed her legs and said nothing.

Percival had been silent since the beginning, his eyes only on Vivienne, not deviating in the slightest, playing the role of the devoted husband to perfection. Ramona's eyes flickered swiftly.

It seemed like a flash of resentment passed through them.

But it was so quick no one saw.

"Ma'am." Anna stood by her, Ramona's tireless voice echoing in her ears.

She turned a deaf ear, simply waiting for Vivienne's command.

It was hard to tell how much time had passed before Vivienne finally spoke indifferently, "Let her go."

The evening wind sliced across Ramona's face like a blade.

She sped along the freeway, scenes from the night's confrontation with Vivienne racing through her mind.

Her heart burned with fury!

If it weren't for the mission, if her meridians hadn't been altered, preventing her from using force!

She would've twisted Vivienne's head off herself!

were dark with malice, focused on the road ahead, completely oblivious to the black car tailing

an unseen corner, two figures

passing the Rivenwood toll booth, they headed straight for the

ready for bed. His

replied, [Keep on her tail; we need to know

a few terse messages sent, Vivienne turned off her

The next day.

Vivienne opened her eyes, Percival was already gone from her

Matthew popped up immediately, [At seven sharp this morning, we lost contact

"What happened?"

got out of bed and called

to calls or texts.

"Alert everyone,

dialed Draven, "Issue the Order of Nine Mystics Society, search every nook

afford to

grabbed her gear

stepped out of the apartment, her phone vibrated. She checked it

text that came was chilling enough, [Next time, I won't go easy on

post, strapped with the latest model of a time bomb-instead of gunpowder, the glass vials were filled with an unknown green

fury as she replied, [Who dares to hurt mine will

The Ellington family.

had finally regained his freedom after that interrogation. But he hadn't kept his head down for long. Messages from the other side came daily, as

Huxley was sneaking out like always, a delicate voice

see Mara and breathed a sigh of relief, "You scared me half to

forward, "I should be asking you that. Have you forgotten what it felt like to be locked up by that maniac Vivienne? What have you been up to these days, sneaking around? Didn't you

the rush? I'm waiting for the right moment. When it comes,

you're planning, just remember this-I'm still at Vivienne's mercy. If you have even a shred of sibling love left, don't drag me down with you, or I won't be

of presence, Mara, having grown up with Wendy, always had the upper hand over

by her, the naturally timid Huxley felt a