The Million-Dollar Heart

Brianna's face fell, her eyes darkening as her nails dug deep into her palms. "The one who's been making my life hell is none other than Vivienne Linklater! And the person who embarrassed Alyssa in front of everyone? That was her too?"

"It was her mother, Sasha's, doing. But Vivienne played her part. Alyssa, that poor thing, thought Sasha came from a nobody family. Turns out, she's Sasha Perez, of the Perez lineage. Alyssa not only failed to bully her but ended up dragging the Wright family's name through the mud," the man replied, his voice laced with a chill.

Brianna snorted disdainfully, "She thought she had our grandfather wrapped around her finger, that she could do whatever she pleased. What a joke. I bet Danielle hasn't let her off easy." She couldn't help but revel in the misfortune.

The man raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, "You know what I mean. She's in the first room right as you enter the last mansion. Go touch up your makeup; don't let yourself be overshadowed." Brianna nervously touched her face, "I got it, brother."

The mention of the last mansion sent a shiver down her spine, signaling the gravity of Alyssa's mistake in their father's eyes.

After making sure her makeup concealed any trace of her distress, Brianna headed to the last mansion.

The walls of the last mansion were conspicuously pristine, surrounded by gardens of white roses.

But Brianna knew this beauty was just a facade, a superficial peace masking the real purpose.

She cautiously entered, heading directly to the first room on the left. The white door looked freshly painted as she hesitantly knocked, receiving no response.

Softly, she called out, "Alyssa, I heard you're in there. Can you hear me?"

"It's me, Brianna. Did you come to see me?" Alyssa's voice trembled from inside, mixed with faint sobs.

"Did Dad say when he'll

Alyssa's voice was barely audible, "Grandfather said, after tonight, I can

taken aback, not expecting their grandfather, who usually favored Alyssa, to be this

to come in and

moment, the door creaked

the corners and a musty smell pervading. Alyssa's bed was just as dilapidated. Disgusted, Brianna thought

pale with fear. She looked at Alyssa, who was in

Just feed it this, and it will fall asleep,"

her hands trembling, "I can't, Alyssa. I'm

and formidable build striking

wide range of movement, except near Alyssa's sleeping

returning the next day. After all, Alyssa would be

Alyssa, pale and tearful, begged, "Please, just throw this into its mouth.

the humiliation Vivienne brought

anything off the ground. If it weren't for the extra sedatives my brother brought me, I'd have run out by

where it couldn't reach, and as it opened

of courage, she retreated, signaling Alyssa with panicked

reassured her, "Don't worry. Once the