The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival had everything at the hospital squared away in no time.

After a brief exchange at the doorstep, Vivienne and Sasha went their separate ways.

On the ride back, Percival couldn't help but notice the troubled look on Vivienne's face. "You think Abigail is behind this?" he

ventured.

Vivienne pursed her lips, "It's just... the poison in Daphne's system, it seems familiar."

In the dead of night.

"Boom—"

A loud explosion echoed from the southwest.

Vivienne shot up from her bed, and there, by the window, stood Mr. Wolf. He turned, a grave look on his face, "Vivienne, the Perez

family's been hit."

Her heart tightened, tossing the covers aside, she leapt up, "What happened?"

Percival was there, steadying her, "Dad called. The Perez's were attacked, someone lobbed ten mini bombs over their estate. The

military's already been dispatched for search and rescue."

A cold fury settled in Vivienne's eyes, "We're heading there now."

Arriving at the Perez estate, they found Sasha and Arthur already there.

Arthur, worried about Vivienne's well-being especially since she was over three months pregnant, hesitated to let her go further.

But Vivienne couldn't care less about her own state at that moment, turning to Sasha, she asked, "Mom, is anyone hurt? How

about grandpa?"

Sasha, her face set in a grim line amid the chaos, replied, "It's still unclear. Stick with me, we'll go in and rescue them first."

"Okay!"

Without another word, they plunged into the fray, with Arthur and Percival following close behind, anxiety written all over their

faces.

The Perez estate was now nothing but rubble.

Every step they took on the debris-filled ground fueled Vivienne's rage. Whoever dared to target the Perez family would pay dearly.

Following the layout etched in their memories, Sasha and Vivienne first reached Jasper's residence, already a hive of rescue

activity.

Sasha, frantic, called out, "Dad, where are you? It's Sasha..."

Vivienne, scanning from a higher vantage point, soon heard a faint response, "Sasha, we're here."

It was Uncle Luke's voice.

"Mom, Uncle Luke is about five meters ahead of you, down there."

Sasha signaled for the team to move, and as they cleared the rubble, the trapped figures cinto view.

Vivienne hastened over, her brows knitted in concern.

Not only Luke was there, but Jasper as well.

Seeing them, Sasha's eyes brimmed with tears, "Bro, Dad, are you alright?"

Luke, doing his best to push Jasper upward, said, "Dad's unconscious. While | still have the strength, get him out. He's got a back

injury that can't wait."

Sasha took Jasper and instructed the rescuers to carry him outside.

Vivienne glanced at Luke, pale but determined, "Uncle Luke, how are you holding up?"

Luke shook his head, "I'm fine. Don't waste ton me. Your aunt has gone to save Natalia and Yasmine. I'm worried she can't

handle it alone."

After making sure the medics were with Luke, Vivienne turned to leave when a panicked shout stopped her, "The structure's going

to collapse!"

Her heart clenched; in an instant, she unleashed her powers, forming a massive shield to protect Luke from the impending

collapse.

Energy surged, slowing taround them.

Arriving just in time, Percival saw Vivienne disperse the debris with her formidable power. He couldn't stop her, only wrapping her

in his energy to prevent any harm.

Luke was safe.

The rescuers, although seasoned warriors, had never witnessed such power, left speechless by the display.

Truly, the daughter of the War God!

Such might on a battlefield would send enemies fleeing in terror.

Vivienne immediately sensed Percival's presence, and after ensuring Luke was in good hands, they hurried to join the others.

Luke, now on a stretcher, encountered Sasha and Arthur, urging, "Go assist Vivienne, keep her from acting rashly."

Being from an ancient warrior lineage, he was no stranger to the power of abilities.

But with Vivienne pregnant, using such force was bound to take its toll.

Worried for their daughter, Arthur rushed to her side, and Sasha, after ensuring Luke was safely en route to the hospital, followed

suit.

Meanwhile, Maddox and Willa were attempting a rescue of the Yuri couple.

Outside, Natalia and Yasmine, protected by their valiant efforts, were crying inconsolably.

They had been saved, but their parents were still trapped inside.

Remembering their mother's leg pinned under debris, their hearts ached with fear and sorrow.

It was their parents' sacrifice that had given them a chance to escape.

As Vivienne and Percival approached, they found the children in tears, shivering in the cold.

Vivienne was about to offer her coat when Percival beat her to it, draping his over the two children.

Seeing Vivienne and Percival, hope sparkled in the children's eyes, "Are you here to save our mom and dad?"

Vivienne gently touched their faces, "Don't worry, we'll get them out."

Then, Maddox's voice cthrough, "Vivienne, we're here."

Natalia and Yasmine, recognizing the voice, cried out, "It's Maddox and Aunt Willa."

Standing up, Vivienne surveyed the wreckage, then turned to the children, "Stay put, someone wille for you soon. Follow them

and don't be afraid."

With nods of understanding, the children replied, "We'll remember, sis."

Vivienne and Percival were about to squeeze through the entrance when they heard two kids behind them caution, “Be careful, big

bro and sis, make sure you don’t get hurt.”

Sasha and Arthur arrived just before the duo ventured in.

After a quick update, they learned that among their group inside, only Zelda had sustained minor injuries. Deciding to leave

Vivienne and Percival behind initially, they split up to check on Fredrick’s situation as well.

Before departing, they made sure to carry Natalia and Yasmine away from the danger zone.

At the stime, Vivienne and Percival entered the blasted doorway, barely wide enough for one.

Following Maddox's voice, they found the group.

They were attempting to lift a heavy slab off Zelda's foot, a task made difficult because the slab was next to a pillar supporting the

roof.

Removing it could potentially bring the whole structure down.

The group tried to shift the slab just enough to free Zelda's foot without causing further collapse.

Vivienne and Percival rushed over, halting the efforts upon seeing Zelda's foot, bleeding profusely due to the pressure and

abrasion.

“Stop, Uncle Mike, Uncle Yuri, don’t move it. You're dealing with a bone injury here; moving it might make things worse,” Vivienne

urgently advised.

Yuri’s face tightened with worry, “Vivienne, what do we do then? Zelda's foot, is it going to be okay?”

Vivienne shook her head, “Can't tell for sure right now, we need to get out before we can assess.”

Yuri was about to respond when Maddox interjected, “There's no time, this place coulde down any second. We have to move

now.”