The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne furrowed her brow, a clear sign of confusion.

Colin seemed to read her mind. "Brianna isn't really a Wright; she was adopted," he explained, cutting through Vivienne's silent questions.

Vivienne was momentarily speechless. It was as if Colin had anticipated her arrival and the very questions she'd bring with her.

Without needing her to utter a word, he volunteered information freely.

Unlocking the door, Colin stepped back, "I know Ms. Hawthorn has a lot more to ask. Don't worry, I'll be just outside."

Without further hesitation, Vivienne gave Percival a look.

Responding to her silent cue, Percival kicked the door down with a forceful swing of his leg.

"Really, Mr. Wolf? No subtlety?" Vivienne couldn't help but comment.

Percival shrugged, "Sorry, Vivienne. My gentleness is reserved solely for you. Everyone else gets the boot."

Silence fell between them as they entered the dimly lit room, where Hunter was pinned against the wall.

The scene made it clear why Colin had managed to capture Hunter so effortlessly.

Percival raised an eyebrow, "He's lost his abilities."

Vivienne scoffed, "Cutting off the source after use. Must be how Abigail acquired her powers."

Without the gift, one resorts to theft.

the barely conscious Hunter, Vivienne wasted no time, "Declan Edwards, how long will you

mention of his true name, Hunter stirred,

did you know...?" he murmured,

well, but these things are easy to uncover for those

continued, "You're not truly one of the Wrights but from the ancient warrior lineage of the Edwards clan. Disowned for using your abilities for personal gain, you vanished only to resurface as Mr. Wright,

to amass wealth, transforming the Wrights into your personal empire, all while the true Wrights remained oblivious to your

you was Ms. Wright herself. Despite her deep affection, she tried to cover for you until you poisoned her with your own hands, eventually eliminating the entire Wright family to consolidate

nothing like

their own end; who can they blame?" Declan spoke without remorse,

merely a stepping stone in his vendetta

eyed him, "With the Wrights under your thumb, you could do as you pleased. So, how did Abigail come into

of cunning flashed in Hunter's eyes, "She offered something I needed. Our partnership was meant to show the Edwards-and everyone else

handed Vivienne a chair, insisting, "Only the

eased her aching back, "So, the heart

hesitated, "Not entirely. Sometimes, she took matters into

uses these

to indulge

both sensed the depth of

consuming your abilities, after all you've done for

to

seem to know her well. Who is she,

anyway," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "Bringing this up now will only spell disaster for the Wrights. Might

derisively. "The

"