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?"

that Declan was gone and the family's position had been vacant for a while. Sensing there was more to her

in finding someone connected to Abigail and Declan,

indebted to

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

the society's significance but surprised to

accepted the ring, his

over the shadows in the name

to live elsewhere, arrangements will be made. But remember, the Nine Mystics

assured her of his loyalty, understanding the

Vivienne mentioned that Winston was currently not suited to return to the Wright family but Colin could visit him anytime by contacting the Linklater family. Grateful for her consideration

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

conversation on the way back touched upon

wrath of the old man and the patriarch down upon him. Throw barge in, break his legs, and force him to spend three days

out of the car,

Tell them

firmly. "Consider

away, Vivienne entered the Linklater

The living room.

two toddlers, their innocent faces glowing as they lay in