The Million-Dollar Heart

Standing outside the door, Vivienne spoke in a detached tone, "How are you feeling?"

The place wasn't far from her research facility, one of the many ventures under her belt.

Bringing Colin here served a dual purpose: one, to better understand and neutralize the poison coursing through his veins; and two, because Declan, still useful for now, would not hesitate for a second to exploit dark magic to end Colin's life if he discovered his whereabouts.

Colin, with a bitter smile, looked down, "Ms. Hawthorn, you're well aware of my condition. Attempting any treatment on me is futile, a mere waste of your time."

Vivienne frowned. She had little patience for those who gave up on themselves before she even had a chance to weigh in.

Walking over to a table, she extracted a pack of silver needles from her coat but didn't rush to open it. "I'm the doctor here. Whether or not you can be cured is for me to decide, not you. I'm pressed for time, so you have a minute to consider your options."

"Of course, I can't guarantee a complete recovery, but for now, I can at least save your life."

After saying this, Vivienne fell silent, only watching Colin, who stood bathed in backlight by the door.

The sheer force of Vivienne's presence overwhelmed Colin. After all, eyes don't lie.

Vivienne was offering him help.

Thinking of Winston, waiting outside, Colin realized he was perhaps too pessimistic. He indeed couldn't afford to wallow in self-pity.

Within ten seconds, Colin had his answer, "Ms. Hawthorn, I'll accept your treatment."

Vivienne nodded, "Come here."

After checking his pulse, Vivienne instructed Colin to remove his shirt; she needed to block certain points near his heart with the silver needles to prevent the poison from causing an immediate death. In her eyes, there was no room for embarrassment or hesitation in the face of medical necessity.

However, the sight of numerous scars covering the intended areas for needle insertion made her frown, not out of disgust, but because it complicated the procedure.

Colin mistook her reaction, asking softly, "Did I frighten you?"

Without changing her expression, Vivienne turned to grab her needles, "I prefer not to be disturbed while I'm working."

aback, Colin

required the needles to be left

noticed some books

the needles, Colin's face was as pale

She had to reach the Dorian

missing Cordelia's

his chest, called out,

stopped and turned, "What

speak, Colin inquired,

you're worried about him being left unattended after your incident, the Linklaters

up, deeply inhaling before sincerely

be thanking yourself,

result of their own choices. "Had you not decided to seek me out, the Wright family would indeed

"Only Robbie and Brianna remain. One's drowning in debt and desperation for money; the others lost their mind. The Wright family is

head, he saw Vivienne stepping out,

had something crucial

visibly annoyed, approached him, "I'm giving you one last minute. Say everything you need to,

her visibly

believe Abigail spared my grandfather because he possessed

narrowed, "What was

his head, "I'm not

suspect it's still with the Wright family; otherwise, Robbie

didn't press

for Colin to respond, she turned and

Colin smiled faintly, hoping his information

dialed Draven, instructing him to

coveted, she would undoubtedly attempt

her was Vivienne's main objective, not

was after Abigail,

to the Brooks residence, it was already one o'clock in the afternoon. She had called ahead to Cordelia, telling her not to go out of her way, just to leave some