The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gavin sprang to his feet, his face contorted in rage as he glared at Emrys. "That's utter nonsense! Have you thought about the consequences of your words?" Vivienne raised an eyebrow and spoke in a calm, leisurely tone, "Oh? Threatening a witness in front of the judge now, are we?" "You!" Gavin glared at Vivienne, words failing him, just as Emrys declared emphatically, "Everything I've said is the truth. If there's a single lie, I'm ready to face the legal consequences!" Gavin wanted to argue back, but the judge hammered down, cutting him off, "The verdict will now be pronounced!" Just then, the courtroom door swung open.

Arthur, flanked by a team of fully armed officers, strode in. He nodded respectfully towards the judge and presented a document. "Under orders from the higher-ups, I'm taking over the cases of Harrison and Gavin!" The courtroom erupted into murmurs. It was unprecedented for defendants to be escorted out during a verdict announcement. And especially right at the moment of verdict delivery.

Online, the chat was buzzing: "Who's this guy? His power must be huge to take the defendants right out of the courtroom?" "Yeah, and it sounds like he's trying to protect those two?" "You don't get it. That's Arthur, our nation's War God. A hero on the battlefield, safeguarding our homeland. It's not about his power; it's his mission to protect us. Rumor has it he's never married because of his dedication." "But why save the guilty? Isn't that a slap in the face to the innocent?" "Exactly. Frank was about to clear his name, and then the War God pulls this stunt. How's that fair?" "Maybe Harrison and Gavin are innocent?" "Are you serious? With all the evidence against them?" "Let's just wait and see what happens." Confusion also painted the judge's face as he read the document. Indeed, it was a directive from the top, and with Arthur personally involved, even if it bent the rules, he had to comply.

Returning the document, the judge announced, "Court adjourned! We will reconvene at a later date." With the trial interrupted, all that could be done was to adjourn. Regardless of what investigation awaited Harrison and Gavin, they would still have to face trial eventually.

After the judge's announcement, the courtroom began to empty, leaving behind the jury, the plaintiffs, the defendants, and Arthur's team.

Vivienne and Percival, their eyes narrowed, radiated a fierce energy. They were so close to unraveling it all when Arthur had to show up! Vivienne stood abruptly and marched towards Arthur, her expression icy. "You can't take them!" Arthur had been looking for Percival and Vivienne Since he arrived, articularly Vivienne. He had heard n so much about her, hardly any of it jood, shaping a rather negative mage in his mind. He sought Out, Curious about the woman who ad disrupted his plans. If not for Vivienne, hiswould have been cast long ago. Now, he was forced o lay out a new one. Content >elongs to englishAs Arthur's gaze landed on Percival, suddenly, a figure stood before him, demanding he couldn't take Harrison and Gavin. He scoffed internally. No one had dared to speak to him like that before.

"Humph! Since when do I need your permission to-" His retort halted as his eyes met Vivienne's. Shock crossed his face, "Winnie? Is that you?" Vivienne frowned, shaking off Arthur's grip with a burst of energy, her tone frosty. "A War God indeed, masquerading as a gentleman?" Arthur paused, confused. "Winnie, what are you talking about?" "You're the War God, and yet you need to be taught not to take what's not yours? Harrison and Gavin were my bait, months in the making, and you easily disrupt the efforts of others?" Vivienne stared at him emotionlessly. "Regardless of what you plan to do, taking them fromis where I draw the line." Percival stepped forward, positioning Vivienne behind him, and locked eyes with Arthur. "You dare lay hands on my wife, thinking I'm just for show?" Arthur was still processing Vivienne's words when Percival's remark struck him. "Your wife?" Suddenly, as if piecing together a puzzle, he turned to Vivienne. "You're Vivienne?" Her eyebrows knit together. "You're only realizing this now? My information should have been on your desk ages ago." Arthur was silent. He had indeed gathered information on Vivienne, but none included her photograph. Despite her notoriety in Rivenwood, images of her were rare. Online photos were quickly removed, leaving only vague glimpses of her. His knowledge of Vivienne was confined to the incomplete reports from his subordinates. Looking up at Vivienne, Arthur was visibly shaken. The resemblance was uncanny! Why did Vivienne look so much like Winnie? Her mother was Karen, wasn't it? Could it be...

Arthur abruptly asked, "Who is Winnie to you?" Vivienne looked pale and unamused. "Did you just roll out of bed or something? Didn't the briefing mention that there's nobody named Winnie in my life?" For sreason, Vivienne, who ne usually had her temper under control, felt an inexplicable irritation whenever she dealt with Arthur. Everything about him just rubbed her the wrong way! To others, Arthur was the unbeatable War God but through her eyes, he was nothing more than a petty thief! Arthur was speechless. His previous negative impressions of Vivienne had vanished the moment he met her in person. In fact, he found her blunt manner somewhat amusing. He couldn't fathom why Vivienne was so hostile towards him, but it didn't really bother him.

"You don't know Winnie?" Arthur pushed his thoughts aside and pressed on.

Vivienne gave him a look that screamed 'are you an idiot?' Arthur coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment. "What I meant to ask was, do you have a photo of your mother?" The courtroom was filled with confused glances towards Arthur, unable to grasp how this formidable figure had suddenly taken an interest in Vivienne's mother's photo.

Vivienne's expression grew even colder, her voice as chilly as a rainy day. "My mother wouldn't give you the tof day!" Arthur was taken aback. This girl sure knew how to hit where it hurts with every word she said!