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.

pulled out a beer from seemingly nowhere.

flickered. "I

a sigh, thinking, "If you know, then why are you still sitting

Brody wipe the sweat from her brow as she received the shiny forceps, her gloves

been brought in, he thought Vivienne and

she was Percival's aunt,

hollowed from malnutrition and unconsciousness, he could see the resemblance

would be reduced to this," he clicked

someone like Holly should have been long gone. Her survival till now was nothing short of a miracle.

wasn't sure he could save

as she replied, "It'll take some effort,

looked at her in surprise. "Sometimes I really wonder just how advanced your medical skills are. Is there anyone in the

were the ticking

final suture, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, put all the tools back on the

a sterile passageway. "Tomorrow morning, someone will come to take care of her. What you need to do is monitor all her

well within his capabilities. Plus, he was curious to see how the Specter Healer would work her magic on someone who was practically knocking

"How did it go?"

ding. Leopold and Enzo, who had returned from outside, along

face held a 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, and her

needs

palm warmed under

smile as he looked at Vivienne, his expression softening with tenderness that Leopold and the other bachelors couldn't quite understand. Matthew spoke up, "Vivienne, shall we head back to

get back soon, I think

Vivienne nodded. "Let's go."