The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

A group huddled in conversation, but Jasper was soon dragged away to the backyard by the playful antics of two kids.

Vivienne, with an exasperated look, turned to Finnian, who was hunched over a box, inspecting its contents for authenticity. "Master, you've accepted the item. It's tto stop beating around the bush." Finnian paused, reluctantly closing the box before his tone shifted. "My dear girl, what do you takefor? Didn't I give you enough clues over the phone yesterday?" In the whole wide world, if anyone knew Finnian best, Vivienne would proudly claim that spot without hesitation.

Before securing the so-called Heavenly-Snow Lotus, it'd be a cold day in hell before Finnian spilled the real beans.

To Vivienne, it was all about drawing information out of him, piece by piece.

She gave him a knowing look. "Would you really discuss something as valuable as the Heavenly-Snow Lotus over the phone?" Finnian was momentarily speechless.

Wasn't his caution just to prevent eavesdroppers? After all, it had taken him three days of relentless research to uncover that information. If it got into the wrong hands, he'd be livid. The chill in the hall made their tea cool rapidly. Vivienne took a sip and grimaced slightly at its temperature.

Percival, noticing her difort, quickly intervened before any further conversation ensued. "Master, Vivienne, maybe it's better to continue this discussion inside. It's quite drafty out here." He then stood, offering his arm to Vivienne and leading her into the parlor.

Finnian, puzzled, looked around, failing to notice any draft.

Perhaps the younger generation was just more health-conscious.

In the parlor, Percival fetched a blanket for Vivienne and handed her a mug of hot water, ensuring herfort.

Finnian, realizing he was out of the loop, stroked his beard and playfully chided, e here, letcheck on you. How's your health?" Vivienne inwardly groaned, fearing this moment.

After a visit to Dr. Sasha, she was already on a ten-day herbal regimen prescribed by Mr. Wolf.

If Finnian started fussing, she wondered if she'd ever see the light of day again.

With a poker face, she replied, "No need, Master. Let's focus on the matter at hand. I'm short on time." Finnian, not easily deterred, insisted, "Even your grandfather is in the dark about this. What, you think you can hide it fromtoo?" Vivienne simply met his gaze.

Sighing, Finnian conceded, "Well, a student grows beyond her teacher's control, I suppose. Luckily, I have nine other disciples. If I called them all now, we could at least fill a table..." Vivienne's patience was wearing thin, but she extended her wrist for inspection, "Here, take a look now." Percival watched, bemused.

Finnian smiled as he felt her pulse, "Ah, this is promising. A smooth pulse; it suggests a baby girl. I've always preferred girls to boys." Percival brightened at the news, "Master, are you certain it's a girl?" Finnian, with a knowing look, teased, "You prefer a daughter, don't you?" Percival was about to agree when he caught Vivienne's eye and quickly corrected himself, "I'll be happy with either, as long as it's Vivienne's and mine." Finnian nodded, "Don't worry. I've told you about your fortune before; you're destined to have a good family life. Plenty of children in your future!" Percival couldn't hide his joy.

Before meeting Vivienne, he hadn't given much thought to children. But the idea of having a family with her felt right.

As the pair turned their discussion towards fortunes, Vivienne interjected, "Have you seen enough?" Finnian, still holding her wrist, adopted a more serious tone, "Hold on. You've been through a shock recently. Have you been treated?" Percival answered, "She's already taking something." "And who prescribed it?" Finnian probed further.

Vivienne couldn't help but roll her eyes, "My mother." Satisfied, Finnian finally released her wrist, then inquired, "Have you found out what caused the shock?" Vivienne frowned, "Not yet." She suspected it might relate to Delilah, but everything - from Brody's insights to hospital tests - indicated otherwise.

Finnian advised, "Sometimes, the answer isn't on the surface. If you can't identify the cause, best to steer clear of potential triggers. Your well-being is paramount right now." Understanding his hint, Vivienne quickly connected it to another issue, "Did you find anything about that family?" Finnian smiled, "You wouldn't let that go, would you? Records of that family are scarce, suggesting they've mostly died out. Abigail, if .n connected, is likely from a minor branch. As for the rumor you're interested in, there are many versions." Vivienne leaned in, intrigued, "About immortality?" Finnian nodded, "Exactly. It's a tale as old as t- the more fantastical, the more fervent the believers." He continued, "One version closely matches your description, involving an ancient ritual of consuming human hearts for power." "But that alone wouldn't grant immortality. It requires two additional artifacts, though their efficacy is unproven. It could all be just a myth." Vivienne's interest piqued. While such tales might seem far-fetched to some, she knew Abigail wouldn't dismiss them so easily. Her ultimate goal wasn't just to live forever but to dominate the era, with immortality merely a step towards that end.

To her, the life of one or a thousand mattered little in pursuit of her ambitions.

So, the seemingly impossible odds never deterred Abigail. If anything, they only fueled her determination to experiment again and again.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes and continued, "Master, what exactly are the two things we need?" Finnian's expression turned serious.

"According to the text, one is a heart that can substitute for the original in a ritual of sacrifice to the cosmos, and the other is a talisman that can be activated with supernatural powers." A substitute for the original? SV Vivienne spoke softly, "So, that's why my heart is the only one Abigail wants." She sure knows how to pick her targets.

Finnian had also realized this, shocked that someone would dare et target his apprentice, "Exactly. If Abigail is indeed after this, you are certainly the prcandidate she' could find. In other words, she needs a heart that is both powerful and young." Understanding this, Vivienne didn't react much. It wasn't the first tAbigail had tried to capture her, and surely a lot of research and investigation had been done on her part. But one thing puzzled her.

"Why does Abigail want Mr. Wolf dead?" Vivienne hadn't otten what Abigail had said on the wedding day.

Before she could claim Vivienne's heart, Mr. Wolf had to be taken out of the picture.

It seemed as if only with Mr. Wolf's demise right before her eyes, could all of this be set into motion.

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