The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne and Percival returned to their place.

An hour later, Matthew called. "Viv," he began, "those guys in black were long gone by the time we got there, but we've ID'd the bodies. All missing their hearts." "Fifteen in total, all underage girls, and none of them in the system."

Vivienne wasn't surprised.

The body she had found with Delilah likely came from the same source.

For someone like Abigail, using the undead to harvest these victims for her healing rituals was child's play.

The reason she hadn't touched these people before was fear of exposing her final trump card too soon.

But taking the hearts of a dozen people in one go showed her resolve.

Abigail was gearing up for a final showdown!

The next day, Vivienne took the mysterious box to Finnian.

When it came to exotic artifacts, no one was more knowledgeable than him.

Inspecting the box, Finnian nodded, "I can unlock it, but it'll take two days."

Vivienne was about to leave when Finnian stopped her, "Hold up, take a look at this. Just found it."

He handed her an ancient book.

It seemed at least a century old, documenting the cultural history of what was now the Southern Lakes region. But one line caught Vivienne's eye, tightening her expression. She read the entire story.

thoughts connected like dots, a

moment, then nodded. "If all this adds up, it clears up a lot of our

tone was somber. "Her motive isn't hard to guess. Power corrupts, and when you add a vendetta into the

motives, shaking his head. "What worries me is, if things have reached this point, she might just snap

went straight

She's even exposing her undead soldiers; she must have

stay put, let me protect you. Or we could hide out at your grandfather's. The ancient warrior lineage still carries weight; nobody would dare

when was the

taught me that the only way to solve problems is to face them head-on?

whole world. The stakes are too high, and I can't stand the thought of you in danger." Vivienne's gaze softened, her voice turning cold.

argue further but was sidetracked by Vivienne's next words. "If we can figure out what's inside this box, I might be able to predict her final 'weapon."" "If you really

get you an answer by tomorrow. Until then, prioritize your safety, and don't go anywhere alone." Vivienne nodded, then as she was leaving, she turned back to Finnian with a warning, "And don't tell Grandpa

her

supposed to keep this from her grandfather? If he found out, he'd rally all his

the ride back, Vivienne sat in the back, resting her

received a call, her voice hushed

slowly opened her eyes, asking

glanced at her through the rearview mirror, slightly embarrassed. "Viv, my mom wants to invite you over for dinner to properly thank you. Are

straightforward agreement. "Mom, Vivienne said yes. Book the table, and

up, Anna apologized on behalf of

a dinner invitation, leaving her unsure of how to

cheeks were flushed with a

moment, Vivienne was

had almost

Anna was

had recently come

with the weight of