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

way back, the scent of something delicious wafted to

"Thomas, stop the car!"

braked sharply, thankfully without causing

Thomas and Percival

announced, clutching her

outside, then smiled, "What would you

"Something sour."

grew, "Seems

implication, Vivienne dismissed

found themselves in front of a quaint little diner, its sign reading "Pickled Fish" in faded

the kitchen for cleanliness

the inside was clean,

arrived, Vivienne was astounded, "Are you

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

the leftovers for Thomas, joking about his

cozy in the car, Vivienne

to bed, her sleepy grip tightening on his hand, "Mr. Wolf, stay with me." Touched by her

Vivienne slept deeply and

a checkup, owned by the Ellington family,

with

rotted her eyes,

situation increasingly absurd. From

Mr.

into

his face

en FindNovel

doctor beside her, "Just do your

a stiff smile, clearly wanting to ignore the tense atmosphere