The Million-Dollar Heart

The moment Leopold spoke, the car fell into a silence that stretched for a full thirty seconds.

Vivienne looked up at Leopold with a hint of exasperation in her eyes. Her junior always had a knack for being clever at the most inconvenient times.

Some things, even if you know them, you just don't blurt out!

Realizing he might have put his foot in it, Leopold met Matthew's disapproving gaze and chuckled awkwardly, trying to change the subject. "So, what do we do now? Head over to the YQ Research Center first?"

Vivienne nodded. "Let's drop Holly off there first. She can't hold on much longer with just the meds I've been giving her. The lab's equipment is state-of-the-art, and with Brody there to help out, I can run some tests and stabilize her condition. Then, we need to focus all our efforts on dealing with the Abernathys!"

Neither Leopold nor Matthew objected to the plan.

Percival, who had regained his composure, gripped Vivienne's hand tightly, "Leave Gavin to me! I want to avenge Aunt Holly myself!"

YQ Research Center.

The soft blue floor lights flickered overhead. The roar of the rain and thunder was swallowed by the soundproof walls.

Behind the frosted glass doors, Percival and Leopold could only make out the vague silhouettes of two people inside.

"Hey, what's going on in there?" Enzo sidled up to Leopold, nudging his elbow.

The touch was met with an impatient brush-off, and Leopold held a finger to his lips, "Keep it down, will you? Come outside; I'll fill you in."

He cast a surreptitious glance at the stone-faced Percival and gestured for Enzo to follow him out of the lab.

a beer from seemingly nowhere. "Relax,

flickered. "I

"If you know, then why are you

sweat from her brow as she received the shiny forceps, her gloves stained with blood. Brody glanced more than once at the

first been brought in, he thought Vivienne and the

that she was Percival's aunt, he was

now, seeing the woman, cleaned up yet with cheeks hollowed from malnutrition and unconsciousness, he could

Ellington family heiress would be reduced

miracle. If Vivienne hadn't brought her back from that remote village they mentioned, she probably wouldn't have lasted

wasn't sure he could save

replied, "It'll take some

looked at her in surprise. "Sometimes I really wonder just how advanced your

the room were the ticking of the

she finally breathed a sigh of relief, put all the tools back on the tray, and removed her

after scrubbing her hands, opened a sterile passageway. "Tomorrow morning, someone will come to take care of her. What you need to

it to me," Brody assured, pushing the gurney through the passageway. He preferred experiments, but looking after a patient was well within his capabilities. Plus, he was curious to see how the Specter Healer would work her magic on someone who was practically

"How did it go?"

opened with a ding. Leopold and Enzo, who had returned from outside, along with Matthew and Percival,

gentle smile. "The surgery was a success, and Aunt Holly's condition is stable. Now, it's all about recovery. She hasn't been properly cared for in years,

Vivienne squeezed Percival's hand to reassure him, "She needs time to heal and further treatment later.

palm warmed under her

his expression softening with tenderness that Leopold and the

we don't get back soon, I think Mrs.

Vivienne nodded. "Let's go."