The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The moment Dracon heard the news, he couldn't care less about the chaos around him and bolted upstairs.

“What are you all waiting for? Why haven't you started my dad's surgery?” The doctor looked at Dracon helplessly, “Mr. Linklater, your father’s condition is beyond our control. His blood pressure’s through the roof, and we can’t just operate willy-nilly. One wrong move, and he might...” Listening to the doctors detail the complications, Vivienne knew that the slightest slip during the operation could mean Yorick would never wake up.

Dracon was both furious and frantic. “Then what do you suggest we do? Just let my dad sit around waiting? Find someone who can operate right away. Money's no object. Just cure my dad!” The doctors were at a loss, but after sthought, one spoke up, “Mr. Linklater, you mentioned a ‘Specter Healer’? Is he here? If he is, there's definitely hope for your father!” The others chimed in agreement, “Yes, yes, Specter Healer could save him, Mr. Linklater. Is he here?” Dracon was momentarily stunned; he glanced downstairs, where Vivienne was chatting with Percival, oblivious to the urgency.

Following Dracon’s gaze, the doctor mistook Percival for Specter Healer and hurried down to him, “You're the Specter Healer, right? Please, you must save Mr. Yorick Linklater. We're running out of time.” Percival, with his arm around Vivienne, said, “I'm Specter Healer’s husband. This is my fiancée. We understand the gravity of the situation, but we must be leaving now.” The doctor was taken aback and then looked at Vivienne with a mix of surprise and admiration.

Who would have thought that the Specter Healer was such a young lady? “Specter Healer, | know it’s a lot to ask, but Mr. Yorick’s life is on the line. Please, we need you to stay and lead this operation.” a Percival’s fingers tensed, worry flickering in his eyes.

Vivienne tapped his waist reassuringly as if to say, “Don’t worry, I'm here.” Only then did the urgency on Percival’s face fade.

Vivienne smiled at the doctor. “May | ask which son of the Linklater family you are?” Caught off guard, the doctor quickly explained, “I'm not one of Yorick’s sons. I'm his personal physician...” He paused, then understanding Vivienne’s implication, turned to Dracon, “Mr. Linklater, she is the Specter Healer, renowned for bringing the dead back to life, a miracle worker. Please, make your decision quickly.” Clenching his fists, Dracon had no choice but to plead with Vivienne, “Vivienne, please operate on my dad.

Money is no issue.” Vivienne yawned. “I'm busy.” Dracon’s eyes narrowed. “As a doctor, are you really going to watch a patient die right under your nose?” Vivienne’s lips curved into a playful smile. “Whether | watch a patient die is my call, depending on whether they're my patient. The decision to treat or not is mine.” Dracon had never been treated like this, and his disdain for Vivienne grew.

“Mr. Linklater, that’s not an appropriate attitude to have when pleading. Mr. Yorick’s life is at stake! Please! Just put down your pride for your father’s sake!” The doctor did not know the tension between Vivienne and Dracon, but he could tell Vivienne was upset.

Tequaled life, and Yorick could not afford to wait for Vivienne to cool off.

Left with no choice, Dracon could not let his pride cost his father precious treatment time.

He descended the stairs, his demeanor softening as he said, “Specter Healer, please save my father. Nyour price, and I'll triple it.” Vivienne eyed Percival and gauged the situation.

Mr. Wolf's reputation was priceless.

But this could work.

“I don’t need money, but | do require a certain... respect,” Vivienne said, her eyes half-lidded as she watched Dracon.

Gritting his teeth, Dracon bowed deeply to her.

“Ms. Vivienne, please save my father.” Finally, Vivienne relented. “Prepare the OR!” The doctors, their hearts in their throats, had the operating room ready in minutes.

Three hours later, the OR doors swung open.

Removing her mask, Vivienne stepped out to Dracon and Diana’s anxious faces.

“How’s my dad?” Dracon asked.

“An hour,” Vivienne breathed out.

“An hour and what? Vivienne, if anything happens to my dad, | swear you'll pay!” Dracon yelled at her.

Vivienne frowned slightly, raising her hand to silence Dracon’s voice. “In an hour, Yorick will wake up.” Dracon choked, glaring at Vivienne but unable to speak.

“As for you,” Vivienne’'s eyes flashed coldly. “Shut up for an hour.” Diana was stunned by Vivienne’s capabilities.

She had not expected her to be so formidable. Despite the stringent security of the Linklater family estate, Vivienne effortlessly silenced Dracon’s voice.

Vivienne was indeed a force to be reckoned with! Percival pulled Vivienne to the couch to wait out the hour.

Voiceless, Dracon paced silently for over an hour.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

The staff at the Linklater Mansion were in an uproar, unsure of what had just occurred, and Diana couldn't very well spill the beans about Vivienne’s involvement. So, she just sat quietly to the side.

Everyone knew Vivienne was the Specter Healer and that she had saved Yorick’s life, so they treated her with the utmost respect, pampering her with the best food and drink.

Of course, Vivienne didn’t hold back. She had been craving a hearty beef stew after the lengthy surgery, and now she was famished.

The fruit bowl was empty in no time.

Dracon could only watch, utterly speechless - literally.

Finally, after an excruciating hour, the moment Dracon could speak again coincided with the attending physician stepping out of the ward. “He’s awake, Mr. Yorick is awake.” Dracon had no energy left to pick a bone with Vivienne. Just as he was about to head over, he saw that Vivienne and Percival had already gotten there before him.

He glanced back in surprise, making sure his eyes were not playing tricks on him.

Dracon was no stranger to a bit of self-defense training, but next to Percival and Vivienne, his skills seemed like child’s play.

Otherwise, how could he have missed them passing right by? Inside the room, Yorick was fully conscious, his head and body still wrapped in bandages, but he looked visibly better.

“Dad, you're finally awake. Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?” Dracon asked with concern as he and Diana entered.

Yorick shook his head. “I'm fine now. You go on. | need to have a word with Percival.”