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

eyes flickered. "I

"If you know, then why

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

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

was Percival's

woman, cleaned up yet with cheeks hollowed from malnutrition and unconsciousness, he could see

family heiress would be reduced to this," he clicked his tongue. "You sure

should have been long gone. Her survival till now was nothing short of a miracle. If Vivienne hadn't brought her back from that

even he wasn't sure he could

replied, "It'll take some

how advanced your medical skills are. Is there anyone

the ticking of the surgical instruments

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

up the aftermath of the surgery on Holly and, after scrubbing her hands, opened a sterile passageway. "Tomorrow morning, someone will come to take care of her. What you need to do is monitor all her vital signs. If anything unexpected happens, call me immediately. If you can't reach me,

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

"How did it go?"

Enzo, who had returned from outside, along with Matthew and Percival, who

"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

to reassure him, "She needs time to

palm warmed under

looked at Vivienne, his expression softening with tenderness that Leopold and

chimed in, "Anna's been calling me non-stop. If we don't get back soon, I think

Vivienne nodded. "Let's go."