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?"

Vivienne shared her hope for Colin to take over the Wright family, now that Declan was gone and the family's position had been vacant for a

for his help in finding someone connected to Abigail and Declan,

a brief moment of contemplation, Colin, feeling indebted to Vivienne for saving his

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

of the society's significance but surprised to discover Vivienne's

his gratitude extending beyond

outlined her need for someone to watch over the shadows in the name of the

the Nine Mystics Society has no place for

loyalty,

could visit him anytime by contacting the Linklater family. Grateful for her consideration for Winston's safety, Colin

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

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 remember who he was and where his loyalties

out of the car, she left Leopold

Tell them their

nodded firmly. "Consider it

the car drive away, Vivienne

The living room.

two toddlers, their innocent faces glowing as they lay in their cribs, giggling at the old man teasing