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.

but asked gently, "Did Dad say when

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

their grandfather, who usually favored Alyssa, to

door? I want to come

moment, the

with cobwebs in the corners and a musty smell pervading. Alyssa's bed was just as dilapidated. Disgusted, Brianna thought their grandfather's punishment was excessively cruel, especially since Alyssa

something caught her eye, turning her pale with fear. She looked at Alyssa, who was in tears, her appearance

and it

trembling, "I

a massive wolfhound woke up, its strong limbs and formidable build striking fear. Its eyes glinted menacingly as it

wide range of movement, except near Alyssa's

to move, thought of returning the next day. After all, Alyssa

throw this into its mouth. It won't bark then. I get so

the humiliation Vivienne brought upon her, gripped the

my brother brought me, I'd have

stood where it couldn't reach, and as it opened

every ounce of courage, she retreated,

worry. Once the drug dissolves in its mouth, it