The Million-Dollar Heart

Whitford's face twisted in agony as he crumbled to the floor of the cramped cell, his cries reverberating against the cold, grey walls.

Vivienne and Percival barely had time to register what had happened when the guards rushed in. They surveyed the bent iron bars with confusion etched on their faces. "Odd, the energy scan showed he wasn't this powerful. How'd he manage to warp reinforced steel like that?"

Vivienne's ears perked up. "Energy scan?"

You've got to be kidding me! How do you even measure such an intangible thing?

But the guards were dead serious. "The device was sent specifically from the top brass. Developed by some tech whiz, I don't get the science behind it, but the tech guy assured us Whitford wasn't a threat." Yet Whitford had just bent the bars. That meant either the device was a fake, or the technician in charge was a mole from the ancient warrior lineage, planted to monitor any prisoners of their kind! The couple realized this at the same moment.

Without hesitation, Vivienne pushed past the guards and strode into the cell. She fished out a pill from her pocket, pried Whitford's mouth open, and shoved it down his throat. Her movements were so smooth that Whitford had swallowed the pill before the guards could react.

One of them grabbed Vivienne's wrist. "What did you give him?!"

"Xiomara!"

"Vivienne!"

an investigation, we're authorized to use any means necessary

with reluctant suspicion as they landed on Vivienne. It wasn't until the male guard showed his impatience that she finally let go, "But

syndicate?" Vivienne didn't know whether to laugh at her naivety or marvel at her simplicity. "Sweetheart, how old are you? Didn't your teacher tell you

than Vivienne, flushed in embarrassment and anger at

could argue, Vivienne cut her off again. "Whitford, what you've got churning in your gut is the same poison I fed your brother. I don't care what other plans your ancient warrior lineage has,

his voice trembling as

abdomen was relentless, amplified by whatever Vivienne had slipped into the pill. It kept him in a

her gaze cold and menacing. "I'm

The room fell silent.

guards thought she was

fierce woman was and

was

audacity, not expecting such a delicate-looking woman to speak with

from pale to purple to black

together her identity, and despite the torment, he conceded. "Fine... I'll testify for you... but... you have to let my brother and me

before she could ask, Percival knew what was on her mind.

gratitude as she nodded.

with you all the way. The ancient warrior lineage's

of Public Relations and a former member of their ranks, he might have some insight into the Grimshaw family's influence." Vivienne, her chin resting on her hand,

ancient text is

outlined their plan, but first, they had to deal with the pressing matter of Kaitlyn and the Grimshaw family, who were causing trouble even after obtaining