The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"Can't say for sure." Vivienne shook her head, "Mr. Wolf, don't you think their attack this twas way too abrupt? Feels like they're going all in, a do-or-die move." Percival's eyes flickered with a sly gleam, "Vivienne, you should realize that it was never the Abernathy family who wanted that secret recipe; it was the Grimshaws behind them." "You mean to say the Grimshaws have issued an ultimatum to the Abernathys this time?" Vivienne withdrew her gaze, the unease in her heart refusing to settle.

It was a strange feeling. She wasn't particularly worried about the Abernathys doing anything to her, per se.

Her only real vulnerability was Dorian and his lot, but at this point, the Hawthorn family were already under the protection of the Nine Mystics Society, so that vulnerability wasn't much of one.

Still, why did it feel like something was about to happen? Percival's gaze remained on her, easily noticing her disquiet. His eyes, filled with affection, began to speak, but just as he opened his mouth, Vivienne's phone started buzzing. It was a call from Matthew.

"Vivienne, I found the family that claimed the medicine caused a death years ago!" Matthew's voice wasn't overly excited through the phone, which echoed through the living room, tinged with hesitance.

With the sofa taken over by Vivienne and the rest, Leopold had no choice but to sit cross-legged on the carpet, "Well, bring them in then. We can talk money, no need to get all worked up." Matthew replied, "The situation's a bit complicated, Vivienne. The person from back then, they might not be dead!" "What did you see?!" Matthew's words struck like a bolt from the blue! As the revelation exploded in everyone's mind, Kaitlyn's grip on her handkerchief tightened, "Matthew, are you sure you didn't mistake something? My father personally checked on that person back then, and he was gone. There couldn't have been a mistake." Leopold was skeptical too, "Matthew, don't tellyou're seeing things or, worse, seeing ghosts. That person's grave must be overgrown with weeds by now, how could they not be dead?!" But Vivienne countered, "It's not impossible." Percival raised an eyebrow, intrigued, "Go on?" Jerry, who was sorting through files, tossed his laptop aside and pulled out his phone to call Finnian.

"Years ago, my mom developed a drug that could mimic death. Anyone who took it wouldn't breathe or have a pulse for seven days. Their body would even turn stiff and cold, just like they were really dead." Vivienne rested her hand on Percival's knee and looked at him, "My mom told me, before she started suspecting a traitor in the organization, that she sold it to make money. One buyer bought an entire bottle at an auction. I suspect that it was the Abernathys, or rather, the Grimshaws, who were the buyers back then." Kaitlyn asked, "So, you're saying that our medicine wasn't at fault back then. It was because that person took the death-mimicking drug, and that's why..." "It's very likely!" Vivienne nodded affirmatively.

At that moment, Kaitlyn felt as if she were in the depths of winter, the chill piercing to the bone! She always knew that Harrison had staged everything just to get his hands on the recipe, but she never realized that they had been planning it so far in advance.

And she had unwittingly opened the door for those "wolves" to prey on the Littletons! Giving them the perfect opportunity! Then, Jerry returned with his phone, "Confirmed! Our master said he was the one who took the batch of drugs to the auction. The buyer's last nwas Abernathy." "Vivienne, from what I've gathered, that family also has the last nAbernathy." Matthew's voice was somber: "They moved here over a decade ago, and they've always claimed that the person who's alive is the deceased's twin brother. Vivienne, should we bring them all in?" "Bring them!" Vivienne commanded, "Don't do anything rash! If they're connected to the Abernathys, you won't stand a chance alone! Mr. Wolf and I will lead a team over right now!" "Draven, you and Anna take care of things here while I'm gone!" She spoke as she got moving, "If anything comes up you can't handle, callor Mr. Wolf! We'll be reachable 24/7." "Leopold, you stay behind to assist Draven and the others." Percival followed Vivienne out the door, "Thomas, take a squad with us." Thomas nodded. "Got it!" At the Abernathy estate.

The water lily ponds in the courtyard were being battered by a torrential downpour, scattering pink petals all over the ground.

She walked in with a black umbrella, er cool gaze never falling on the ¡cattered blooms. Her porcelain ingers pinched a letter as she stepped into the hall, where Harrisor at with a warm cup of coffee, oying with a jade pendant. He ooked up at her arrival, a smirk taying on his lips, "Victoria, you're >ack at last. Have you found nything worthwhile during your lays out?" ;w"Snap!" The sound of the letter hitting the table echoed sharply.

Victoria flicked the envelope onto the table with a snort, "No good news, I see Just a subpoena. Harrison, you've been up to no good lately, haven't you? If it weren't for the court mailing this, I'd have no idea you've been cozying up to Kaitlyn again. And now she's teamed up with Vivienne to sue you, trying to reopen that whole debacle with the Littletons!" Harrison's smile, which never quite reached his eyes, froze for a moment. He pinched the envelope, his gaze murky, "I can explain all this. The Grimshaws delivered an ultimatum to my dad, and I had no choice but to... It was wrong to keep it from you, I admit. Let's not get worked up over this." Victoria scoffed and sashayed over, pulling Harrison from the head of the table. She grabbed a newspaper from the side, slapped it down, and plopped herself in his place, should be angry? I just find it hilarious, Harrison. When Hel you becsuch a pushover? Can't handle a girl like Kaitlyn, and now she's got you on the ropes. I don't know what my father saw in you, insisting that I marry you. You're all talk, no show!" Her gaze lingered mockingly on his handsface.

Victoria's laugh was tainted with malice, "Apart from that pretty face, what do you have to offer? Kaitlyn was a fool, seduced by your mask of integrity. Hey, why not try your charm on her again?" She twirled a strand of her hair, eyes glinting wickedly, "Though you're a bit long in the tooth now, your looks are still passable. Go on, get on your knees, apologize to Kaitlyn. Who knows, maybe she'll go soft, divorce her husband, and crunning back to you." "Victoria, can't you stop?" Harrison's voice was unusually cool towards Victoria. His knuckles whitened hidden in his sleeves, and he looked down, wounded, "The only person I've ever truly loved is you. Back then, I had no choice... How can you pushtowards another woman?" Victoria felt a wave of disgust, "Sparethe , please." mmMwWLlilOfiflo&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1