The Million-Dollar Heart

In the midst of chaos, out of nowhere, a figure lunged towards the center of the commotion, a blood-dripping knife in hand, aiming straight for Vivienne and Percival. "Vivienne, Percival, this is the end for you!" She remembered vividly, it was Percival's henchmen who had forcefully taken her aboard that dreadful ship where they broke her limbs without mercy.

And later, to compel her into submission, they severed the tendons in her limbs.

Ever since, she harbored a deep-seated desire to exact her revenge on the pair.

Upon hearing the commotion, Vivienne merely lifted her gaze and, with a swift motion, sent the attacker flying five meters away with a powerful kick before the blade could even graze her.

The assailant hit the ground, coughing up blood, yet refused to relinquish the opportunity to end the lives of her targets.

As Vivienne approached, the assailant, with a determined grasp on the knife and a last-ditch effort, lunged at Vivienne, desperation fueling her attack.

But Vivienne caught her hand effortlessly, the blood from the knife dripping onto her clothes.

A malevolent glint flashed in the eyes of the fallen woman.

Charlotte, who was nearby, noticed the tell-tale red spots on the attacker's arm and went pale with fear. "Vivienne, get away from her, she's got an infectious disease!"

Hearing the words "infectious disease," Percival's face turned ashen. He quickly pulled Vivienne to safety and, using his powers, flung the attacker away.

"Vivienne, we need to get you out of those clothes now!"

The disheveled woman struggled to her feet, spitting blood continuously.

However, upon seeing Percival's protective stance over Vivienne, she let out a raspy laugh filled with vindication.

"Heaven has eyes!"

"Indeed, heaven does watch over us!"

"Vivienne, always so aloof, let's see how you fare in your next life after enduring the same vile afflictions that have plagued me." Members of the Nine Mystics Society quickly restrained the woman, intending to hand her over to their young master for judgment.

Upon seeing the woman's face, marked by a distinct scar, even Charlotte was taken aback. "My God, are you... Arabella Hawthorn?"

a profound reaction in Arabella, who glared at Charlotte with the ferocity of a cornered beast. "Don't you dare call me that

confinement in a damp, cramped room had taken their toll

to assume the identity of Paula Brooks and seek refuge with the

a month, succumbing to the brutal whims of a particularly

before her death, she had revealed a secret about

her contaminated clothes and draped his jacket over her, his

fetching the

Vivienne, "..."

had

Specter Healer, she could easily diagnose Arabella's

to

blood from her skin

didn't speak up, Mr. Wolf

Wolf, my years of research into poisons have made

the hospital!" Vivienne sighed, "Mr. Wolf, believe me, diseases carried in the blood pose no threat to skin without cuts

showed him her unblemished arms and legs, "See, not a scratch

looking up at

altered our bodies.

put herself in danger, but the initial shock had

his Vivienne to be safe, even against

down, Vivienne approached

the trouble to seek death, she saw no

approached, the Nine Mystics Society members

them to leave; she intended to deal with Arabella

you'll be

Vivienne's foot connected

Abigail who rescued

pain, couldn't muster a response, barely

she contemplated her next move. "Arabella, or should I say... Katara

mention of that name, Arabella's eyes widened with hatred, staring back at