The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Brianna swallowed nervously, afraid to speak further.

Colin poured a glass of water and handed it to her, his demeanor returning to its usual calm, "How many times have I told you? You need to stayposed. What's got you so jumpy now?" Taking a sip of water, Brianna caught her breath, "Bro, I was just about to talk to you about it. Guess who I ran into when I got back?" Colin's eyes darkened slightly as he asked, "Who?" Brianna's eyes widened, "Grandpa. I saw him dressed all in black,ing back from outside as I was leaving the garage. I thought it was a burglar at first and got the scare of my life, only to realize it was Grandpa." Recalling the incident sent shivers down Brianna's spine as if Grandpa Hunter was still lurking around.

Colin squinted, a slight tension appearing on his pale face, "Are you sure it was Grandpa you saw?" "Absolutely. I'd recognize Grandpa's voice anywhere, not to mention that mask... Who in our family wouldn't?" Brianna bit her lip, frowning in confusion, "I just don't get what Grandpa was up to. He seemed so secretive, almost like he didn't want to be seen..." Colin kept his cool, "You're curious?" Brianna was startled and quickly shook her head, "Curious? No way. I don't want to end up like Alyssa, missing without a trace..." "Bro, you have no idea. Lately, the servants have been hearing noises from the old castle behind our property in the middle of the night. It's eerie, like something creeping up from underground." This piqued Brianna's interest despite herself.

"But it's weird. I went down to the last floor of the castle looking for Alyssa before, but she wasn't there. So, whose voice was it?" Colin settled back into his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the armrest, "What's the rush? We only have three days left until Grandfather's decree takes effect." Brianna squinted, "You mean Alyssa will be released in three days." "I thought she'd be lucky to escape with her life this time." Colin glanced at Brianna indifferently, "She's not so easy to get rid of. She still has her uses." She still has her uses? That reminded Brianna of something Hunter had mentioned earlier.

Feeling a surge of frustration, sheplained, "All because she's the Wright family's precious daughter. But what good does that do? Look at her age; it's debatable whether she'll even marry off." Colin saw through it all, "If you want to replace her, wait until she's released." A spark of ambition lit in Brianna's eyes, "Bro, what are you planning?" He smirked, "Grandfather has ordered that Alyssa personally apologize to the Linklater family to be iven and accepted back into the Wright family." Brianna scoffed, barely concealing her scorn, "After what she did to the Linklaters, Arthur would have killed her himself if she weren't so lucky. How could they possibly ive her?" It seemed nearly impossible.

"That's why she needs your help-to disappear from the Wright family for good." "Only if something happens to Alyssa can our elder brother be too preoccupied to notice anything else, giving us a chance to win." Colin laid out the pros and cons before her.

Brianna was tempted. She had no interest in the Wright family's assets, but she couldn't stand being overshadowed by Alyssa forever.

"Bro, you have to promise me, once you're in charge, you'll helpdeal with that bitch Vivienne." Without hesitation, Colin agreed, "Okay." Before leaving, Brianna stepped out the door then paused as if remembering something, poking her head back in, "Bro, I ot to tell you, Grandpa's hurt. Maybe this is your chance to get in his good graces." Colin nodded gently, his expression softening until Brianna left. Then, his face suddenly turned grave.

He was indeed a part of it all.

In the castle's second-floor study, Hunter swallowed a pill from the drawer as his phone rang.

This time, a young woman's sultry voice cthrough, "ot to mention, the person you ran into today is also one of mine. No need to panic." Hunter frowned, "Our person?" "Who is he?" The woman remained tight-lipped, "I can't tell you just yet. Maybe you'll meet when the tis right. Have you retrieved everything?" Hunter glanced at his injured right arm, not expecting the leader of the Nine Mystics Society to be so skilled, "Most of it's been evacuated, but a batch of prototypes was intercepted." The woman hummed in acknowledgment, then instructed, "Those are inconsequential. Put aside what you're doing; I have a more important task for you." Vivienne drove Percival back to his place.

Upon arrival, Leopold tactfully took a cab home, not wishing to third-wheel any longer.

Vivienne effortlessly found the first aid kit in the TV cab, instructing Percival to sit while helping him out of his jacket.

Even minor injuries could be serious if not treated properly and exposed to water.

Percival, charmed by her seriousness, reassured her, "Vivienne, it's just a scratch. It's nothing." "Nothing?" Vivienne narrowed her et eyes, a playful smile curling at her lips as she brought the cotton swab down Percival's chest, teasingly close to his abs. Half-tempting, half-warning, she asked, "Mr. Wolf, are you going to take it off yourself, or should I give you a hand... taking it off?" Percival's gaze darkened instantly, pulling Vivienne into a deep kiss before she could finish her sentence, swallowing her last word whole.

After a moment, Percival looked up, desire evident in his eyes, "If Vivienne insists, I'm all for it." A rosy blush spread across Vivienne's fair cheeks.

Despite their familiarity, she couldn't shake off the flush that cwith Mr. Wolf's kisses.

Every single time, it was always Vivienne who leaned in for the kiss, yet somehow, she'd end up a puddle of goo by the end of it.

She decided it was high tshe took the reins.

"This was your idea, Mr. Wolf, so don't mind if I do." With a mischievous wink, Vivienne shoved him onto the couch with a move that was more bouncer than ballerina, yet impressively effective. In under ten seconds flat, Percival's jacket and his crisp white shirt were history. Gazing at the scene before her, Vivienne couldn't help but swallow hard.

Mr. Wolf was a sight for sore eyes.

What's a girl to do? She was seriously contemplating making her move.

Percival caught every change in her expression, his voice low and intoxicating, "Sure you're just gonna look, Vivienne?" She didn't hesitate for a second.

With an invite like that from Mr. Wolf himself, she'd be a fool to pass up the opportunity.

After having her fill, she playfully slapped Percival's abs, "Mr. Wolf, turn around for me. Need to make sure you haven't hurt your back." Percival knew she was up to something, but he indulged her all the same. Meanwhile, Vivienne sneakily pulled out her phone.

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