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!"

and during an investigation, we're authorized to use any means necessary on suspects. Let go of

landed on Vivienne. It wasn't until the male guard showed his impatience that she finally

or marvel at her simplicity. "Sweetheart, how old are you? Didn't your teacher tell you the scum in here have done things so vile that dying a hundred times over would

flushed in embarrassment and anger at

she 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, but if you're not at the hearing the day after tomorrow, you and

are you?!" Whitford glared, his voice trembling as much as

Vivienne had slipped into the pill. It kept him

down at him, her gaze cold

The room fell silent.

thought she was one

this fierce woman was and

was always one

with such venom. It took another wave

from pale to purple to black as he gasped,

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

the ride back, Vivienne mulled over their next move, and before she could ask,

with gratitude as she

on the road ahead. "There's no question of doability. If you want to do it, you do it. I'm with you

member of their ranks, he might have some insight into the Grimshaw family's influence." Vivienne, her chin resting on her hand, suddenly remembered the old manuscript. "Once this is over, we need

text is bound

to deal with the pressing matter of Kaitlyn and the Grimshaw family, who were