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!

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

unseen corner, two figures

booth,

Vivienne had just finished her nightly routine and was ready for bed. His message read, [Donald is on it; the target is

we need to know who's

a few terse messages sent, Vivienne turned off her

The next day.

Percival

phone, and a message from Matthew popped up immediately, [At seven sharp this

"What happened?"

got out

voice was a bit rushed but composed, "I was in contact with Donald last night, but this morning, there's been no response to

everyone, find Donald-dead

Mystics Society, search every nook of

afford to

dressed, Vivienne grabbed her gear and headed

stepped out of the apartment, her phone vibrated. She

the text that came was chilling enough, [Next time, I won't

of Donald tied to a post, strapped with the latest model of a time bomb-instead of gunpowder, the glass vials were filled with an unknown green liquid. The sender

[Who dares to

The Ellington family.

But he hadn't kept his head down for long. Messages from the other side came daily, as if certain he posed no threat, urging him to proceed with the next step. "Stop right

as Huxley was sneaking out like always, a delicate voice suddenly burst forth,

of relief, "You scared me half

Have you forgotten what it felt like to be locked up by that maniac Vivienne? What have you been up to these days, sneaking

"What's the rush? I'm waiting for the right moment. When it comes, you'll have

care what 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 so

grown up with Wendy, always had

by her, the naturally timid Huxley felt a