The Million-Dollar Heart

In the span of a quarter hour, Colin had awakened on the bed, his eyes opening to find Vivienne seated beside him. He blinked in confusion. "Ms. Hawthorn, what brings you here...?" Vivienne motioned for him to stay still, mentioning that the effects of the acupuncture needles hadn't fully worn off yet.

Glancing down, Colin noticed the needles and was momentarily puzzled. "Ms. Hawthorn, what happened to me?"

As Vivienne carefully removed the needles, she informed him, "The poison in your system has been neutralized." "Neutralized?"

The shock was evident on Colin's face, followed quickly by a somber realization. "Did something happen to that man?"

Vivienne didn't beat around the bush. "Declan has taken his own life. You won't have to worry about the poison's backlash anymore."

Unable to fully articulate his feelings, Colin's body clearly relayed the relief of no longer facing such torment.

Gathering his composure, he expressed his gratitude, "I owe you a great deal, Ms. Hawthorn. Without you, I might have been long gone, not here to see this day."

Vivienne, unembarrassed by his thanks, inquired about his future plans.

Gazing out at the sunlight filtering through the window, Colin sighed, "I haven't decided yet. Maybe after I recover, I'll leave Rivenwood. If Winston Wright is willing, I might take him with me." His glance towards Vivienne was probing, curious about her reaction.

However, Vivienne remained composed, subtly asking, "Aren't you interested in restoring the Wright family?"

This caught Colin off guard. "What do you mean by that, Ms. Hawthorn?"

to take over the Wright family, now that Declan was gone and the family's position had been vacant for a while. Sensing there was more to her request, Colin probed further, "Is there something you need,

his help in finding someone connected to Abigail

feeling indebted to

signifying membership in the Nine Mystics Society, which he could use to seek

of the society's

accepted the ring, his gratitude

over the shadows in

you prefer to live elsewhere, arrangements will be made. But remember, the Nine Mystics Society has no

assured her of his loyalty, understanding the gravity of her

could visit him anytime by contacting the Linklater family. Grateful for

had been eavesdropping, scoffed at Colin's deference,

involve Colin in the Nine Mystics Society. Their conversation on the way back touched upon the necessity of Colin's role in stabilizing the

man and the patriarch down upon him.

Vivienne got out of the car, she left Leopold

them their enemy

nodded firmly.

car drive away,

The living room.

entertaining two toddlers, their innocent faces glowing as they lay in their cribs, giggling