The Million-Dollar Heart

Declan suddenly looked up, "I don't believe you've managed to shatter the Millennia Aegis."

Vivienne arched an eyebrow, "The shards of the Millennia Aegis are right here in my hand. Would you like to see for yourself?"

A flicker of hesitation crossed Declan's eyes, but he quickly pressed on, "Where is she?"

Vivienne knew exactly who he was asking about.

With a cold laugh and her eyes sharp as ice, she said, "If she's not dead, she's probably licking her wounds in some remote forest corner. But without a proper heart to heal, she might resort to devouring the hearts of animals. Or worse, she might not be picky at all." Declan frowned, his tone icy, "That's impossible!"

Vivienne sighed, "You've gone to great lengths to keep all these secrets from the Watson family. How could I not retaliate against someone who's after my life?"

"You!"

Shock flashed in Declan's eyes, his face betraying his emotions, "You've actually dug into the Watson family!"

Vivienne had expected this reaction. "If I'm not mistaken, Derek probably stumbled upon your real motive behind building up the Wright family, leading to his untimely demise... The so-called disease of worry was just your cover-up after poisoning him." Realizing his emotions had betrayed him, Declan fell silent.

His mind, however, was in turmoil.

He hadn't expected Vivienne to investigate him so thoroughly.

Having gotten the reaction she wanted, Vivienne walked out without further delay.

Outside, Draven was waiting.

"Keep an eye on him. Don't miss any detail," Vivienne instructed before turning to enter the adjoining dark room where Percival was monitoring some equipment.

On the large electronic screen on the wall was Declan's image.

Hearing Vivienne's approach, Percival turned, "Just as you suspected. The equipment only reacted when the Watson family and Winston were mentioned." Vivienne's eyes narrowed slightly.

The bait was thrown. Whether it would lure Abigail out depended on how important the remnants of the Wright family were to her.

Handing off the equipment to a technician, Percival wrapped Vivienne in his coat, "It's too cold here for you. Let's go back."

Mr. Wolf's warmth envelop her, Vivienne nodded, and

scent of something delicious wafted

"Thomas, stop the car!"

sharply, thankfully without causing an

and Percival both looked

announced, clutching

outside, then smiled, "What would you

"Something sour."

Percival's smile grew, "Seems

Vivienne dismissed

tantalizing aroma was even stronger. Following it, Vivienne and Percival found themselves in front of a quaint little diner, its sign reading "Pickled Fish" in faded letters. That

personally checked the kitchen for

the inside was clean, and they ordered a variety

arrived, Vivienne was astounded, "Are you sure we

of tender fish, "Don't worry, if we can't finish, Thomas will. He

for Thomas,

in the car, Vivienne soon fell asleep leaning on

her to bed, her sleepy grip tightening on his hand,

night, Vivienne slept

they went to the hospital for a checkup, owned by the Ellington family,

tense with the pressure of not displeasing

her

situation increasingly absurd. From

Mr.

into

room, the tension on his face

en FindNovel

she turned to the doctor beside her, "Just

managed a stiff smile, clearly wanting to ignore the