The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne and Logan followed two men into the village.

The village was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see even a single tree through the gray haze. There was an eerie feeling in the air! Logan's heart was pounding uncontrollably.

Who could blhim? Though he was an apprentice to a renowned Specter Healer, his courage was notably lacking.

He edged closer to Vivienne for comfort. She shot him a look that made him stiffen up and push through his fear.

After what felt like an eternity, they stopped in front of a house.

This house stood out to Logan. They had passed several homes made of earth on their way here, but this one was a quaint little cottage.

He glanced at Vivienne, who seemed unfazed, and followed her lead into the house.

The living room was packed with people, all remarkably young, a mix of men and women.

Sitting at the head of the room were a handsman and a beautiful woman.

"The gentleman here is our village leader, and the lady is his wife," one of the men in a button-up shirt introduced.

As Logan's gaze shifted to a man seated next to the village leader, his heart skipped a beat.

Wasn't that Mr. Ellington? How could he be the village leader's son? The man in the button-up shirt noticed Logan's shocked expression and frowned, "What's the matter?" Logan quickly masked his surprise, "He's poisoned!" He glanced at Vivienne, but her expression remained unchanged even as she looked at the man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Percival.

"Indeed," the man in the button-up shirt said, "You're sharp to notice our young master's condition. A true testament to the skill of a Thousand-Hands Healer." The village leader then spoke, "Can you cure him?" "It's possible, but it's going to be quite the task," Logan replied.

"Tell us what you need, and we'll provide. I just require that you cure him as soon as possible," the village leader's voice was deep and commanding.

"As soon as possible? You're joking, right?" Logan retorted, "He's been poisoned since childhood, raised in an environment soaked with toxins. It will take months of treatment with medicinal baths and acupuncture to cleanse his system, not to mention the specific herbs needed to concoct the medicine." "Don't worry about the herbs. I need him cured within half a month, no matter what it takes!" the village leader's piercing gaze put immense pressure on Logan.

Logan shivered involuntarily, feeling as if a wolf had locked its sights on him, making him immensely uncomfortable.

He glanced towards Vivienne for support, but realized all eyes in the room were on him. Swallowing his fear, he defiantly said, "If you expect a miracle in half a month, you're better off finding someone else!" With that, he turned to leave but found himself encircled by a group of figures clad in black, their identities hidden.

Their presence was menacing, reminiscent of demons from the underworld.

Furious, Logan faced the village leader, "What? You plan on keepinghere by force?" The village leader stood up, his voice cold, "No outsider leaves Luck Village without finishing their business We'll provide accommodation and the herbs you need. The quality of what I'll give you surpasses anything you can find on the market. Just cure himTM Content belongs to en.kikistoriesLogan frowned, "I've already told you, it's beyond my capabilities!" "I trust in the reputation of a Thousand-Hands Healer," the village leader's gaze was sharp, "You must cure him within the timefrI've set, or else, you won't be leaving Luck Village." Logan cursed under his breath, thinking the village leader's assurance was a hollow promise given their current situation. Without another word, Logan and Vivienne were escorted to their room.

After they left, someone asked, "Do you really think that kid can cure Sebastian's poison?" The village leader's son, also named Sebastian, was the subject of their concern.

"If he can't, we'll deal with it. But killing him is the easy part. The real challenge is curing Sebastian's poison." "If he fails, we still have a Specter Healer to turn to. But she's tied to the Rivenwood Ellingtons, and there's bad blood there. Bringing her in is risky." "What's there to fear? Sebastian and Percival look alike. We can use Sebastian as bait to lure her here. It's a perfect opportunity to settle old scores." Sebastian, who had been quiet, spoke up with a deathly calm, "You think I'd risk my life?" The man laughed it off, "Right, with your condition, you wouldn't stand a chance against her. Clever as she is, you'd be dead before you got close." The room fell silent, pondering their next move in the complicated web of alliances and enmities.

Mayor Thompson sat at the head of the table, his@cy gaze sweeping across the room. "We've got word from Rivenwood," he said, his voice as cold as his stare. "Someone's started poking their nose into Luck Village. Make sure your houses are in order. Be ready for anything." Content belongs to en.kikistoriesAt his words, a wave of tension filled the room. "Do we know who it might be?" "Not yet," the mayor replied before turning to Sebastian. "But odds are, they're coming for you." Sebastian leaned back in his chair, silent.

The man who had just spoken frowned. "Could it be that Specter Healer? How did she even get wind of us? That woman is trouble. If she's on our case, it won't be long before Rivenwood's higher-ups are too! Content belongs to en.kikistoriesswn He turned to Sebastian. "And you, with a face identical to Percival's, why?!" Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly. "If you hadn't engineered that plane crash that killed Percival, would they be after me?" "That crash was..." The man started to argue but then cut himself off. "Let's not waste ton this. We need a plan for if that woman shows up!" The rest of the group started to panic.

Mayor Thompson spoke up, his tone sharp. "Calm down. We'll keep an eye on those two for now. I'll handle the rest." The meeting, steeped in concern and clandestine plots, was a testament to the undercurrents running through the seemingly peaceful Luck Village.