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 car tailing her

corner, two figures vanished swiftly into the

Rivenwood toll booth, they headed straight for the

was ready for bed. His message read, [Donald is on it; the target is moving

her tail; we need to know who's

messages sent, Vivienne turned

The next day.

her eyes, Percival was already gone from her

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

"What happened?"

Vivienne got out of

was a bit rushed but composed, "I was in contact with Donald last night, but this morning, there's been no response to calls or texts. We've heard from the people watching Ramona's place that she's back from the suburbs, but there's still no word

"Alert everyone,

Draven, "Issue the Order of Nine Mystics

couldn't afford to

dressed, Vivienne grabbed her gear and

she stepped out of the apartment, her phone vibrated. She checked it swiftly, not Matthew, not

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

latest model of a time bomb-instead of gunpowder, the glass

as she replied, [Who dares to hurt mine

The Ellington family.

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

was sneaking out like always, a delicate voice suddenly

relief, "You scared me half to death. What

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

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

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

of presence, Mara, having grown up with

Huxley felt