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!

the road ahead, completely

unseen corner, two figures vanished swiftly into

the Rivenwood toll booth, they headed straight

for bed. His message read, [Donald is on it; the target is moving towards Capital Edge Estates, still in

replied, [Keep on her tail; we

messages sent, Vivienne turned off

The next day.

opened her eyes, Percival was already gone

checked her phone, and a message from Matthew popped up immediately, [At seven sharp this morning, we lost contact with

"What happened?"

hesitation, Vivienne got out

night, but this morning, there's been no response to calls or texts.

ordered, "Alert everyone,

hung up quickly, then dialed Draven, "Issue the Order of Nine Mystics Society, search every nook of Rivenwood, including the

couldn't afford to

Vivienne grabbed her gear and headed

out of the apartment, her phone vibrated. She checked

the text that came was chilling enough, [Next time, I

a picture 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 even had the

with fury as she replied, [Who dares to hurt

The Ellington family.

down for long. Messages from the other side came daily, as if certain he

morning, as Huxley was sneaking out like always,

sigh of relief, "You scared me half to death. What are you

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 say you

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

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

of presence, Mara, having grown up with Wendy,

timid Huxley felt a chill at his core and involuntarily stepped