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, with Vivienne in there, everything's going

flickered. "I

you know, then why are you

the sweat from her brow as she received the shiny forceps, her gloves stained with blood.

been brought in, he thought Vivienne and the others had dug

she was Percival's aunt, he

hollowed from malnutrition and unconsciousness, he could

heiress would be reduced to

nothing short of a miracle. If Vivienne hadn't brought her back from that remote village they mentioned, she probably wouldn't have

even he wasn't sure he could save

she replied, "It'll take some effort,

I really wonder just how advanced

were the ticking of

sigh of relief, put all the tools back on the tray, and

will come to take care of her. What you need to do is monitor all her vital signs. If anything

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 knocking on

"How did it go?"

and Enzo, who had returned from outside,

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 organs have suffered some

Percival's hand to reassure him, "She needs

palm warmed under her

with tenderness that Leopold and the other bachelors couldn't quite understand. Matthew spoke up, "Vivienne, shall we head back to

been calling me non-stop. If we don't get back soon, I think Mrs. Littleton is going to lose

Vivienne nodded. "Let's go."