The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Godfrey's heart sank as he had only just found out the Perez family had run into trouble.

He hadn't expected the problem to trace back to his own doorstep.

Without intending to hide anything, he spoke up, "I'm fully aware of what happened, and I'm just as shocked about the Perez

family's misfortune. But this whole bomb situation is definitely a misunderstanding. We only found out this morning that something

was stolen from us."

"The Martinez family serves our nation loyally; we would never engage in such absurd actions, especially not against our own kin."

"This is something the Martinez family would never do."

Godfrey was ready to put his reputation on the line to guarantee for the Martinez family.

Luke raised a hand, "Godfrey, you've got it wrong. We're not pinning this on the Martinez family."

"Both the Martinez and the Perez families hail from ancient warrior lineages. We just need to uncover the truth. We won't wrong the

innocent and hope for your cooperation.”

Godfrey breathed a sigh of relief, "Feel free to investigate. We'll fully cooperate to catch whoever's behind this. Such heinous acts

cannot be overlooked."

Arthur got straight to the point, "Could we have full access to the Martinez family's armory for our investigation? We need to gather

evidence."

Godfrey, no longer in a position to refuse, gestured for Leopold to lead the way, "Leopold, take Arthur over there and make sure

Griffin knows we're fully cooperating with the investigation."

Leopold, seeing Godfrey sopliant for the first tand sensing Arthur's imposing presence, felt the air around him grow heavy.

"Of course, Grandfather," he quickly replied.

As they left, Godfrey wiped off the sweat from his brow.

What a mess.

To think someone dared to steal from the Martinez family's heavily guarded armory.

They must have the audacity of a lion.

Thankfully, the Perez family was reasonable. Otherwise, no amount of talking would clear his name.

He had just received news that the Perez family had a narrow escape from death last night, particularly Jasper, who only woke up

after several hours of surgery.

Godfrey urgently called his butler, "Prepare a generous gift. | need to visit the hospital."

If this situation wasn't handled delicately, the future relationship between the two families could be at stake.

No matter how much he explained that the Martinez family wasn't behind the bombing, the fact remained that the bomb came

from their armory.

He couldn't shirk this responsibility.

On their way to the Martinez family's private grounds, Arthur suddenly asked, "Were you on the phone with Vivienne just now?"

Leopold, sitting in the passenger seat, was taken aback and turned to reply, "Yes."

Thinking Arthur was concerned about information leakage, Leopold was about to explain when he heard Arthur ask, "How is she?

Feeling better?"

Leopold, caught off guard, responded, "...Vivienne's doing fine."

Realizing his mistake, he asked softly, "War God, did something happen to Vivienne?"

Arthur glanced at Leopold, "Nothing. Just focus on the road."

Leopold swallowed hard, noticing how Arthur's demeanor changed drastically when Vivienne wasn't around, turning into a cold and

intimidating presence.

He dared not look Arthur in the eyes again.

Fearing to meet those unfathomably deep gazes.

At the armory, the guards let them through upon receiving advanced notice.

The car drove deep into the heart of the Martinez family's most secure location.

Griffin was already waiting at the entrance.

Leopold got out of the car and reassured her, "Griffin, it's just Vivienne’s dad and the Perez family uncleing for a routine

investigation. Nothing more."

Griffin looked down at their intertwined hands, feeling a surge offort.

"We have nothing to fear. Even under investigation, if the Martinez family is innocent, it's for our own good," she said, gripping his

hand tightly.

Arthur explained their purpose.

Griffin led them into the armory, to where the missing equipment was stored.

This area was off-limits to anyone outside the Martinez family.

Though it was publicly claimed that only a bomb was missing, there was another item, far too dangerous to disclose, also gone.

Arthur surveyed the surroundings, his voice cold, "What is it?"

Griffin answered directly, "It's a newly developed heavy-duty weapon, not yet fully tested. But its potential energy is immense,

enough to level the entire town of Rivenwood."

This was her biggest worry.

Griffin's tone was calm, but Luke and Arthur frowned slightly.

Leopold was nearly petrified with fear.

Had anyone else said this, he would've screamed in disbelief.

The thought that this device could be detonated at any moment made him fear for his life.

He wasn't ready to die!

Arthur inquired, "Has it been reported?”

Griffin nodded, "Authorities are already on it. Detonation requires a specificmand; it's still within a safe range for now."

Leopold breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good to hear."

Arthur gave him a sharp look before asking Griffin, "Take us to the scene of the first incident."

Griffin nodded and led the way.

The security barrier was back up, emitting a soft blue glow. Touch it, and you'd be dead without a doubt. Yet someone, or

something, had torn through it with brute force, leaving a gap that looked more like the work of a savage beast than a man.

Beyond that, there were layers of guards and surveillance. For decades, the place had been imprable.

Luke furrowed his brow, "Who was in charge here before the incident last night?"

Griffin replied, "We've kept a tight leash on personnel. The surveillance footage from that night shows everyone dropping like flies,

as if drugged, with just a fleeting shadow passing by. That's all we got."

Arthur crossed his arms, his voice grave, "You wouldn't mind if we take over the investigation, would you?"

After a brief moment of thought, Griffin looked up, "Sure, | trust War God can clear the Martinez family's name."

Arthur took charge of the handover.

Meanwhile, Leopold cautiously approached Luke, asking in a hushed tone, "What exactly happened to Vivienne? Why was War God

givingthat look earlier?"

Knowing Leopold's identity, Luke didn't bother hiding the truth, "Vivienne had spregnancyplications last night. She's

resting at hnow."

Leopold was taken aback, "Pregnancyplications? | had no idea."

Griffin overheard and frowned, "Is Vivienne alright? I'lle with you to check on her."

Leopold squeezed his hand, "The Martinez family's going through a rough patch. You hold down the fort here, and I'll update you

after | visit her."