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?"

and the family's position had been vacant for a while. Sensing

someone connected to Abigail and Declan, making it clear that

moment of contemplation, Colin, feeling indebted to Vivienne for saving his life, agreed

ring, signifying membership in the Nine Mystics Society, which he could

the ring, Colin was momentarily lost in thought, aware of the society's significance but surprised to discover Vivienne's influential

the ring, his gratitude

watch over the shadows in the name of the Wright family until the person of

be made. But remember, the Nine Mystics Society has no place

of his loyalty, understanding the gravity of

family but Colin could visit him

departed, Leopold, who had been eavesdropping, scoffed at Colin's deference, disliking

ignored his muttered complaints about her decision to involve Colin in the Nine Mystics Society. Their conversation on the way back touched upon the necessity of Colin's role

would surely bring the wrath of the old man and the patriarch down upon him. Throw barge in, break his legs, and force him to spend three days and nights in the family chapel to

the car, she left Leopold with a

Tell them their

nodded firmly.

drive away, Vivienne entered the Linklater

The living room.

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