The Million-Dollar Heart

Brianna swallowed nervously, afraid to speak further.

Colin poured a glass of water and handed it to her, his demeanor returning to its usual calm, "How many times have I told you? You need to stay composed. What's got you so jumpy now?"

Taking a sip of water, Brianna caught her breath, "Bro, I was just about to talk to you about it. Guess who I ran into when I got back?"

Colin's eyes darkened slightly as he asked, "Who?"

Brianna's eyes widened, "Grandpa. I saw him dressed all in black, coming back from outside as I was leaving the garage. I thought it was a burglar at first and got the scare of my life, only to realize it was Grandpa."

Recalling the incident sent shivers down Brianna's spine as if Grandpa Hunter was still lurking around.

Colin squinted, a slight tension appearing on his pale face, "Are you sure it was Grandpa you saw?"

"Absolutely. I'd recognize Grandpa's voice anywhere, not to mention that mask... Who in our family wouldn't?"

Brianna bit her lip, frowning in confusion, "I just don't get what Grandpa was up to. He seemed so secretive, almost like he didn't want to be seen..."

Colin kept his cool, "You're curious?"

Brianna was startled and quickly shook her head, "Curious? No way. I don't want to end up like Alyssa, missing without a trace..."

"Bro, you have no idea. Lately, the servants have been hearing noises from the old castle behind our property in the middle of the night. It's eerie, like something creeping up from underground." This piqued Brianna's interest despite herself.

"But it's weird. I went down to the last floor of the castle looking for Alyssa before, but she wasn't there. So, whose voice was it?"

Colin settled back into his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest, "What's the rush? We only have three days left until Grandfather's decree takes effect."

Brianna squinted, "You mean Alyssa will be released in three days."

"I thought she'd be lucky to escape with her life this time."

so easy to get rid of. She

still has

of something Hunter had mentioned

"All because she's the Wright family's precious daughter. But what good does that do? Look at her age; it's debatable

of ambition lit in Brianna's eyes,

Alyssa personally apologize to the Linklater family to be forgiven and accepted back into the Wright

did to the Linklaters, Arthur would have killed her himself if she weren't so lucky.

It seemed nearly impossible.

your help-to disappear

too preoccupied to notice anything else, giving us a

the pros and cons before

the Wright family's assets, but she

once you're in charge, you'll help me deal with

hesitation, Colin

her head back in, "Bro, I forgot to tell you, Grandpa's hurt. Maybe

indeed a

swallowed a pill

woman's sultry voice came through, "Forgot to mention, the person you ran into today is also

Hunter frowned, "Our person?"

"Who is he?"

tight-lipped, "I can't tell you just yet. Maybe you'll meet

glanced at his injured

Society to be so skilled, "Most of it's

in acknowledgment, then instructed, "Those are inconsequential. Put aside what you're doing; I have a more important task for

cab home, not wishing

found the first aid kit in the TV cabinet, instructing Percival to sit while helping him out

injuries could become serious if not treated properly and exposed to

reassured her, "Vivienne, it's

narrowed her eyes, a playful smile curling at her lips as she brought the cotton swab down Percival's chest,