The Million-Dollar Heart

When Leopold called again, Vivienne hit the reject button without a second thought.

Leopold had his merits, but subtlety wasn't one of them.

Forget his ancient warrior lineage for a moment; these days, with the Martinez family sheltered by the nation and holding the reins of weapon manufacturing, and Griffin being the sole heiress to the Martinez empire...

Marrying into that family would be a jackpot, even more so for Leopold. Yet, he hesitated. No wonder his nickname was "Husky." It was spot-on.

Percival, noticing her pout, chuckled and asked, "Still upset?"

Vivienne sighed, "What does Griffin even see in him?"

Percival weighed in objectively, "Well, Leopold might be a bit rough around the edges emotionally, but professionally? He's unmatched by his peers, perhaps even better."

After all the battles he'd charged into and missions he'd flawlessly executed, Percival, as a long-time friend and superior, had never doubted Leopold's capabilities.

Vivienne's lips curved into a smile, "Us folks from Emerald Mountain are never mediocre. Trust me, Griffin's making a smart bet this time."

If Leopold had even a breath left in him, he'd ensure he brought her back!

Percival raised an eyebrow, "That certain, huh?"

Vivienne nodded, her protective instincts kicking in, "Of course, I know my brother. He's no fool, contrary to what others might think."

Percival just smiled, letting the conversation drop.

Nearing noon, they finally headed towards their destination.

In a specially designed room, an elderly man sat against the light, legs crossed in a meditation pose, revealing only his back.

Vivienne paused at the door, turning to the person beside her, "How long has he been like this?"

Not a

about to ask further when another person

that man named Colin has just

signaled to Percival, "Mr. Wolf, keep an

a makeshift bed assembled from tables, his face and lips unnaturally pale, even showing

his pulse and quickly applied acupuncture with a silver needle, sealing several of his major points. She had no interest in

Vivienne and Percival sitting nearby,

met his gaze briefly,

her that Colin wasn't after their wealth but wished for mutual

he wouldn't have hesitated to bring down

sit up, said, "I'd like to ask Miss Hawthorn

raised an eyebrow, "You want to entrust Winston to

"You guessed it. He's

going to die. The poison

head, "It's no

father's. It seems harmless at first, even undiagnosable as poisoning, but by thirty, it's terminal. Death is the only

a moment before revealing, "Declan, your grandfather, wasn't actually

forbidden arts

your father

as death, "So it was him

wonder my father was desperate to leave the

but can extend your life by a year or two. I'll need to research

leave, Colin called out,

She turned back, "Yes?"

uncover the secrets Grandpa left behind. I knew her

in

Alyssa