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."

easy to get

has her

of something Hunter had mentioned

But what good does that do? Look at her age; it's

ambition lit in Brianna's eyes, "Bro,

Linklater family to be forgiven

would have killed

It seemed nearly impossible.

needs your help-to disappear from the

if something happens to Alyssa can our elder brother be too preoccupied to notice anything else, giving us a

laid out the pros and

interest in the Wright family's assets, but she couldn't stand

in charge, you'll help me deal

hesitation, Colin

the door then paused as if remembering something, poking her head back in, "Bro, I forgot to tell you, Grandpa's hurt. Maybe this is your

indeed a part of it

swallowed a pill from

sultry voice came through, "Forgot to mention, the person you ran into today

Hunter frowned, "Our person?"

"Who is he?"

yet. Maybe you'll meet when the time is

at

the leader of the Nine Mystics Society to be so skilled, "Most of it's been evacuated, but a batch of

what you're doing; I have a more important task for you." Vivienne drove Percival back

arrival, Leopold tactfully took a cab home,

cabinet, instructing Percival

if not treated properly and exposed to

reassured her, "Vivienne, it's just

at her lips as she brought the cotton swab down