The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival glanced at Heloise, his long fingers fussing over a wrinkled cuff, his thin lips curled in a half-

smile that was more sly than joyful.

Anxious at his silence, Heloise blurted, “Would you just say something? Your granddad’s in a bad way,

and you’re still as cool as a cucumber? He really wasted his affection on you.”

Percival’s eyes lifted slightly, speaking leisurely, “The bracelet from Vivienne is fine.”

Heloise was unconvinced, retorting, “Just because you say it’s fine, it’s fine? Calista, please, take a

look for us. This can’t be genuine. I always doubted that girl could get her hands on something from

Specter Healer!”

Calista eyed Percival, who showed no reaction, and she gently suggested, “Mr. Ellington, perhaps it

would be best if I take a look. What do you think?”

Heloise interjected, “Calista, never mind him. Just check it. If it’s a fake, toss it right away!” Henry was

getting impatient; this was a rare opportunity.

If he could use this chance to take Percival down, it would be his family’s moment to shine!

Calista examined and sniffed it, her expression growing worse by the second.

“What’s the matter?” Heloise demanded. “Calista, please speak up.”

Calista sighed heavily, then said, “There’s not much wrong with the bracelet itself, but…”

“Out with it already. You’re killing me here!” Heloise urged.

Fiona tugged at Heloise’s arm. “Mom, calm down. Let Calista explain. What’s going on?”

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Calista pressed her lips. “At first glance, this bracelet seems to be from Specter Healer, but it’s all

wrong on closer inspection. Moreover, the materials inside are nothing but residue—useless and

potentially harmful. They could exacerbate old ailments and cause various complications in the elderly.”

Heloise gasped. “I knew it! That Vivienne is nothing but trouble! Using this trash to harm our family

patriarch is outrageous! This is as bad as murder!”

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Henry’s anger was palpable. “She must pay for this. That wretched girl, I’ll take her to the police myself

and make sure she never sees the light of day again!” He roared, ready to charge out, looking every bit

the avenger wronged by Vivienne.

Fiona held him back. “Dad, maybe Vivienne was duped too. Don’t be hasty.”

But Henry was inconsolable and set on settling the score with Vivienne.

Suddenly!

Percival grabbed him, and Henry found himself lifted into the air, then unceremoniously dumped on the

second floor.

“Ah! Dear!” Heloise screamed, rushing down to Henry.

After checking he was not seriously injured, she glared at Percival. “Your grandfather’s fate is still

uncertain, and here you are, ready to kill your uncle to seize power!”

Percival’s icy gaze swept over them, sending chills down Heloise and Henry’s spines.

After a moment, he took the bracelet back from Calista.

“A problem with the bracelet?” He asked, eyes cold as he looked at Calista.

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Calista had not expected Percival to throw Henry down the stairs over a mere insult. Besides, it was

Vivienne’s fault; how could Percival be so blindly biased?

Calista felt indignant. “Mr. Ellington, the bracelet is problematic. It’s what triggered your grandfather’s

illness. I think you must have Vivienne come over and explain herself.”

Percival narrowed his eyes, his smile carrying a profound meaning, “Then let’s get to the bottom of it.”

As he spoke, the doors to the Ellington Mansion swung open, and Vivienne strode in with a box of

strawberry cheesecake in hand, paying no mind to Henry’s groans on the floor, heading straight

upstairs.

“Mr. Wolf, I brought you some strawberry cheesecake today.” Vivienne appeared in high spirits, her

eyes twinkling with delight.

Handing over the cheesecake to Percival, her gaze flitted towards Fiona, adding depth to her smile.

Seeing Fiona’s stunned expression only deepened Vivienne’s amusement.

Fiona was taken aback. Why was she here?

Should she not be in…

Fiona hurried down the stairs, suppressing her shock, “Percival, I’ll leave you to handle things at home.

I’m taking Dad to the hospital.”

Leaning on the railing, Vivienne called out, “Fiona, be careful on the road. I heard there’s been an

accident on Capital Avenue—a delivery truck collided with a Bentley. Quite the mess.”

Fiona paused. “What did you say?”

“I said, be careful.” Vivienne’s gaze penetrated deeply, her smile radiant in her bright eyes.

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Fiona, unsettled by Vivienne’s captivating eyes, looked away. “I…I have to go.”

With that, she rushed out, leaving Henry to Heloise, and sped away in her car.

She dialed a number repeatedly on the road, but no one answered.

Frustrated, she slammed her hand on the steering wheel, shouting, “Answer the phone!”

The continuous busy tone from the car’s speaker system infuriated Fiona, who cursed, “Idiot!”

She activated the GPS and checked the location.

Sure enough, the tracker pointed to somewhere near Capital Avenue.

Following the navigation, she drove in that direction.

If there really had been an accident, it would not just be a matter of compensation. It could cost her her

life!

After some thought, Fiona dialed another number.

“Code red, the goods have been compromised on Capital Avenue!”

The voice on the other end was mechanical, grating on the ears. “Didn’t I tell you to find time to move

the shipment? How could this have happened?”

“I can’t explain it all now. Just hurry over here. I can’t reach the driver!” Fiona said frantically.

“Understood.”

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The call ended abruptly, and Fiona gripped the steering wheel with trembling hands, panic flooding her

gaze.

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Please, let there be no trouble!

…

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Calista blocked the entrance to Richard’s room. “Vivienne, I will not allow you to get near Richard.

There’s something off about the charm bracelet you gave him.”

Vivienne sounded like she had just heard the punchline to a joke. “You? Stop me from seeing

Grandpa?”

Calista fell silent, recognizing the scorn in Vivienne’s eyes. It was as if Vivienne was reminding her that

she had no right to interfere.

But still, her grip on the door frame tightened. “It’s just not possible, Mr. Ellington. Vivienne is up to

something. She really shouldn’t be allowed near Grandpa, in case she…”

Calista suddenly found herself at a loss for words. Her eyes widened in terror as she looked at

Vivienne.

Vivienne took the charm bracelet from Percival’s hands, her delicate fingertips tracing the emblem

etched into it. She leaned close to Calista, whispering softly, “You know about the Specter Healer,

haven’t you heard? Her gifts are not given lightly. Once bestowed, it’s always personally delivered!”

Remembering the tales, Calista’s heart sank.

Specter Healer’s artifacts were legendary; if Vivienne truly had one, it meant she had a direct and

possibly dangerous connection. Calista knew she had to uncover Vivienne’s true intentions before it

was too late.

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