The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Flynn's condition was more stubborn and unique than Vivienne had initially thought. It wasn't like any toxin she had encountered before. Relying solely on acupuncture to detoxify him, she feared, would do more harm to hisans than good before she could even thoroughly cleanse his system.

Concerned, Vivienne reached out to Brody, only to receive a text saying he was too busy to talk. This piqued her curiosity-what kind of toxin could stump even Brody? She immediately called Draven for an update on the investigation. Draven reported that Chris, a man they had been looking into, was merely trying to siphon smoney from the Brooks family to cover his gambling debts. He bolted when he realized Flynn's sudden illness could lead to astronomical medical bills. Delilah, on the other hand, was described by her acquaintances as timid and calculative, but not maliciously so, and often overshadowed by her sister, except in rare instances where her cunning surfaced. Something didn't sit right with Vivienne, especially how coincidental Delilah's appearance had been, precisely when Vivienne had the Millennia Aegis, an ancient and powerful artifact, in her possession. It was as if someone was orchestrating these events, waiting for her to reveal the Aegis.

Percival arrived just as she hung up. Sharing her suspicions, Vivienne voiced out, "I think Delilah is actually Abigail." Percival, with a furrowed brow, admitted his own suspicions. They both knew that if Abigail had always been aware of the Millennia Aegis, a direct confrontation would have been simpler. Why use a child as a shield and hide in plain sight? Determined, they decided to confront whatever plan Abigail had up her sleeve.

Over the next few days, Vivienne's life slowed down. Hospital visits were interspersed with days filled withfort food prepared by Mr. Wolf, prenatal classes, and soothing music sessions for the baby.

However, their routine was abruptly interrupted when Cordelia called one morning, urging Vivienne toe to the hospital as Flynn's condition had worsened.

Upon arrival, the doctors informed them that while Flynn had been stabilized for now, his condition remained precarious. Inside Flynn's room, Cordelia, in tears, pleaded with Vivienne to save her nephew, emphasizing that he was all her sister had.

Vivienne reassured her, promising not to give up on Flynn. She then inquired about their aunt, curious about her absence, to which Cordelia responded that she hadn't been informed of Flynn's condition.

As Percival stepped out to fetch Thaddeus, who had been waiting anxiously in the lobby, Vivienne prepared her acupuncture needles. However, just as she was about to start, she suddenly turned and threw a needle towards Cordelia, who narrowly avoided it.

Shocked, Cordelia exclaimed, "Vivienne, what are you doing?" Vivienne, with a cold laugh, revealed her suspicion, "I should have known. Are you Delilah, or should I say, Abigail?" Caught off guard, Cordelia's demeanor shiftedpletely, and with a wave of her hand, she et revealed her true identity, her voice turning sultry, "You're as clever as I hoped, Vivienne. I always knew you were special. I like that." The room tensed, as secrets unraveled and true motives cto light, marking the beginning of a confrontation that had been brewing beneath the surface all along.

Vivienne stared at Abigail, who was doing a poor@mitation of Delilah's demeanor, and felt a wave of boredom wash over her. Cutting él.n straight to the chase, she said, "You've been beating around the bush for ages. Isn't what you really want the Millennium Shield from me?" At the mention of the Millennium Shield, "Delilah's" face twisted in anger, "Hand over the Millennium Shield, and maybe I'll let you die quickly." Vivienne scoffed, "You think I'd give you the Millennium Shield? You wouldn't dare use it." Delight shimmered in Delilah's eyes, "So, you do have it. I wanted to see how it works with my own eyes, but it seems capturing you will suffice to make it mine." With that, she pulled out a small bag of powder from her coat, "Vivienne, your fate is to fall into my hands and be my sacrifice." Vivienne watched her with a detached coolness, as if observing a monkey at a zoo, "You think I don't know where you've placed your poison?" "Delilah" smirked, her cunning not matching her facial expression, "What does it matter if you know? The poison is in you now. You're at my mercy, just like those Brooks family fools." Vivienne's eyes darkened, "You laid hands on the Brooks?" "Delilah" laughed menacingly, "They were just delusional fools, each claiming they'd die before lettingharm you. Ridiculous." With a flick of her wrist, Vivienne sent a flurry of silver needles flying, her voice cold as ice, "Where is Cordelia?" "Delilah" dodged them effortlessly, a mocking glint in her eye.

"Your real concern should be that man hopelessly devoted to Cordelia. He's risked everything to save his wife. Who knows... by now, he might have already..." mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1 mmMwWLliI0fiflO&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliI0fifl0&1 mmMwWLlilOfiflO&1