The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

With a rare holiday break, Percival and Vivienne had been tearing it up for a full two days, reveling in the freedom and thrill of the outside world.

Nighttfound no rest for Percival who spent the better part of the darkness sleeping with Vivienne. Even Vivienne, with her robust constitution, was spent.

By the third day, she was sprawled in bed until noon, only rallying in the afternoon to accompany Percival to Kaitlyn's place.

Elsewhere, at a quaint house turned into a private meeting spot.

Victoria sat at the head of the table, her expression dark as storm clouds, "Have we still not found who took Kaitlyn?" The bodyguard before her bowed his head. "It seems they were cautious. Surveillance along their path has been erased." "Damn it!" Victoria slammed her fist down hard on the table, “Keep searching! And find out if any other families have taken in new faces recently!" Kaitlyn, where on earth have you vanished to? Dragging along three useless goons and a daughter, do you really think you can escape the watchful eye of our ancient lineage? The bodyguard remained silent, waiting for Victoria to vent her frustration before stepping forward.

"I've investigated about what you said. No one has reported capturing Kaitlyn, and it doesn't seem like she was taken against her will." Those from the ancient lineage weren't known for their charity, certainly not to the extent of letting captives pack their belongings.

Victoria had considered this possibility.

But what friends could Kaitlyn possibly have in Rivenwood powerful enough to defy the lineage? Not likely! Victoria's eyes suddenly widened as Vivienne's unforgettable face flashed through her mind.

After a moment of silence, she commanded, "Look into that woman who fought us that day. I want to see who has the guts to take us on!" Kaitlyn, you had better be alive! Or else, even as a ghost, I'll drag you back! At the Littleton Estate.

After leaving her family's home, Vivienne had Matthew handle the transfer of ownership. Now, the house belonged to Kaitlyn.

Vivienne was treating Tyler's injuries.

Kaitlyn, watching both her husband's leg and Vivienne, was hesitant to speak.

Under the encouragement of her in-laws, she wanted to say something, but every tshe opened her mouth and saw Vivienne's youthful face, she hesitated.

Is this really okay to hand over the legacy that the Littletons had protected for generations to such a young woman? If anything went wrong...

She wouldn't know how to live with herself, much less face Vivienne's family.

Vivienne's attention was focused on the silver needles embedded in Tyler's leg, but she didn't miss a single detail of Kaitlyn's behavior.

It was too obvious! Anyone with half a brain could tell Kaitlyn was troubled. But Vivienne stayed quiet, waiting for Kaitlyn to speak up.

When the tcto remove the needles, Vivienne stood up and said, "This medicine, along with the ointment, should be taken internally. It might hurt, but if you can endure three doses, your leg should be nearly healed." "Thank you, Ms. Hawthorn," Kaitlyn blurted out, overwhelmed with gratitude.

Sadie and Julian, quiet until now, bowed incessantly to Vivienne as they said, “Ms. Hawthorn, we can't thank you enough. Without you, our family... we wouldn't know how we would have survived." The thought of their recent hardships brought tears to their eyes.

Tyler, most moved of all, wished he could kneel before Vivienne. "Ms. Hawthorn, meeting you has been a blessing. Without your help, my leg and Kaitlyn... we'd still be living in hellish darkness!" His glance urged Kaitlyn to speak.

Kaitlyn's fingers nervously twisted together as she avoided her husband's gaze.

Their odd behavior didn't escape Vivienne and Percival.

Percival's eyes flickered as he said, "Vivienne, now that we've seen to everyone, let's head out." Vivienne nodded. "Oh, and Kaitlyn. We're hosting a party in a few days, and I'd like to invite Amelia to join us." Kaitlyn was flustered. "But, but how can we? Amelia's never been to such an event, and I'm afraid she'll be trouble for you." Vivienne smiled slightly. "It's no trouble at all. It's settled then. I'll cby to pick her up." She exchanged a knowing glance with Percival and hand in hand, they started to leave the house.

Kaitlyn hesitated, but Anna, who had been following behind Vivienne, leaned in close to Kaitlyn and whispered, "Speak now or forever hold your peace. Miss your chance and there's no going back." Anna's words struck a chord in Kaitlyn.

Jolted into action, she blurted, "Ms. Hawthorn, wait! There's something I need to give you." Vivienne thought to herself that she should have covered her ears.

Percival commented silently, "Vivienne's new friend has quite the set of lungs. Practicing skind of roar technique?" Close by, Anna winced at the volof Kaitlyn's shout, feeling as though a thousand bees were buzzing in her head. If she had known, she would have kept quiet.

Tyler, Sadie, and Julian looked away, unable to bear the scene.

Kaitlyn wasn't this loud usually...

But Kaitlyn, oblivious to their reactions, rushed to Vivienne, clutching her hand. "Ms. Hawthorn, I have something very important to entrust to you." It seemed like Kaitlyn had made up her mind. She spun on her heel and darted back into her bedroom.

In less than two minutes, she reemerged, cradling an antique-looking box that was about the length of her forearm.

Vivienne's eyes sparkled with intrigue.

Percival had heard Vivienne speak of the Littletons before, and now, seeing Kaitlyn with the box, he could hazard a guess at what was inside.

Anna, however, was completely in the dark. She hadn't been present when they'd last rescued Kaitlyn, so she was unaware of the fact that Kaitlyn ET! was a descendant of an ancient warrior lineage.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates... "Mrs. Littleton, what's in the box?" Anna asked, eyeing the red satin ribbon wrapped around it with curiosity.

Kaitlyn approached Vivienne, still holding the box. "Ms. Hawthorn, do you remember when I told you that the Abernathy's were afterfor a secret recipe?" She continued, "Actually, there is no secret recipe in the Littleton family. We just have an herb that has properties similar to the elixir of life." Vivienne's gaze narrowed.

The quest for immortality again.

Those ancient warriors, how fearful of death were they? Percival furrowed his brow slightly as he asked, "You mean to say this herb has the sproperties as the elixir of life? It can grant immortality?" That seemed impossible!

Seeing the skepticism in Percival's om eyes, Kaitlyn gave a wry smile. "Is there really any herb that can grant eternal life? If there were, the Littletons would have been extinct centuries ago!"

She opened the box and said, "This herb was discovered by an ancestor of the Littleton family by chance. It can't grant anyone eternal life, but it has the power to bring itself back from the dead!" X