The Million-Dollar Heart

The car swiftly reached its destination.

Perhaps sensing the presence of family, Winston's face turned to panic the moment they entered the inner room. Vivienne squeezed his hand, reassuring him. "Don't be scared. We can leave whenever you want."

But despite his fear, Winston didn't back down and followed Vivienne into the deepest room of the house.

Upon seeing the elderly man with white hair sitting inside, Winston whispered, "Grandpa, is that you?"

The man in the room jolted, turned around, and upon seeing Winston and then Vivienne, everything clicked in an instant.

He stretched out his hand, calling out to Winston with the same warmth he had shown at the Wright family gatherings, "Winston, come here to grandpa."

This was the first time Winston had seen Declan's face without the masks he wore at Wright family events. Winston felt a surge of unfamiliarity but mustered the courage to approach. Vivienne discreetly gave them space, standing a short distance away.

Ten minutes later, Winston walked back to her. "Grandpa and I had a chat. He said you had things to discuss, so I'll wait outside."

Vivienne patted his head, "Okay."

She signaled to Thomas to escort Winston back to the car.

Then she approached Declan.

Separated by a barrier, Declan accused, "You brought Winston here to threaten me!"

Vivienne scoffed, "Forgot to mention, Winston's now staying with the Linklater family. If I wanted to use him to threaten you, I wouldn't have waited till now."

"I brought him only to fulfill one of his wishes."

blood of the Edwards family, what does it matter where he stays?" Vivienne found his words ironic. "If you truly consider Winston your kin, why use his blood to concoct a

trust in Abigail is

uncover so much so

didn't beat around the bush. "You have one option: spill the details of

Why would she strike a deal with me? I'm merely a pawn

gaze hardened. "What did Abigail

remained silent, clearly unwilling to reveal

once she finds out?" Declan, his voice low, admitted, "If you've found the antidote, you must know what Abigail holds. Yes, I developed that

she's determined

to was clear to

"Why Winston?" she

moment of selfish calculation. "If I carried the antidote, Abigail's suspicion would surely uncover it. I couldn't take that risk. The antidote had to be

made it clear Declan had feelings for Winston, though how much

the Wright family must be capable of bearing such risks.

the Wright family, and only

Vivienne's brows furrowed.

told Winston, but she wouldn't stand by if

carried its bloodline,

cut to the chase, "Hand over the antidote, or I'll

laughed. "Do you think Abigail would rely on mere toxins as her ultimate

sneered, "Abigail seeks unconditional surrender from everyone. Those toxins are

move, it won't affect her grand plan

pressed, "Besides the

hesitation gave him

Vivienne was right.

was something crucial that Abigail was