The Million-Dollar Heart

Kaitlyn had no talent for the arts of ancient warrior lineage. She could barely protect herself under the watchful eyes of her peers, and now she was the most relaxed among them. "I don't really pay attention! I follow Vivienne's lead!"

Vivienne's smile grew even brighter. "It's just a couple of urns of ashes. If you want to smash them, go ahead. I just hope Mr. Grimshaw and Gavin don't live to regret it!"

With that, Vivienne turned to Leopold. "Let's bounce, Leopold!"

"What?"

As Gavin and Asher gaped in shock, Leopold ripped off the latex mask from his face, his smile wild. "You got it, Vivienne!"

"Not good!" Asher's keen eyes spotted the red cartridge in his hand. Breaking free from Vivienne's clutches, he dashed forward, intent on stopping him.

"Gavin, are you out of your mind?" As he charged ahead, he didn't forget to glance at Gavin, frowning and lost in thought. "If Miss Hawthorn doesn't give a damn about the peace of her friends' parents after death, why should we care? Stuff like ashes, better to scatter them to the winds!"

"You're right."

Vivienne's fingers flashed with a cold gleam, and a sharp silver needle plunged into Asher's acupoint as he was caught off guard. "Ashes, indeed, are better scattered."

"Ugh..." The pain was like being torn apart, forcing Asher to his knees.

Vivienne didn't think it was enough, stomping hard on his shoulder. "Especially for a man like Mr. Grimshaw. Perfect for grinding to dust!"

"Asher!" Gavin's grip on the urn tightened. He might not respect Asher, but he couldn't let him be harmed on his watch!

"Freeze!"

A dagger with a cold glint was pressed against Asher's throat, the blade cutting through his skin, with blood dripping down the silver edge onto the ground.

the urn higher. "Vivienne, stop! If you dare hurt Asher, the

As sweat trickled down his neck onto the wound, the stinging pain

an indistinct resentment. His gaze, heavy as a specter at midnight, struggled to

down at Asher.

up?

Grimshaw bodyguards exchanged looks. With their young master in someone else's grip, they dared

clattered to the ground with

out of the factory, only to be interrupted by the screech

a stranger in black, rolling down his car window. His gaze was

and Vivienne, seeing this, was in no

with Leopold, who was protecting Kaitlyn

the dagger from Asher's throat. Then, with a sharp knee to the man's lower back, she snapped, "Scram,

the roar of the cars speeding away and the sound of the

and mouth, retreating as he looked at the white

within him, as if a heavy stone weighed on his chest,

silver needle from his acupoint, the trembling and urge to

to the side, his mood plummeting. "What are you waiting for? Get moving, or do you expect me to help you? What a

forget his recent beating at Vivienne's hands as he ranted, "I don't know how the Abernathys ever put you

His cold gaze lingered on Asher for only a moment before his expression changed. He didn't reply, simply following Asher out of

ground outside, he couldn't help

Why?

did he feel

news, something's happened

came tumbling over, rolling in the mud without care, collapsing at Gavin's feet. His face was a mess of

a beat, the unease growing.