The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"Vivienne, you cruel witch, so sinister and vicious! Why haven't you been dragged to hell yet?" Madeline screamed, her eyes bulging with rage. "The Abernathy family is in ruins because of you!" Sophie, supporting Madeline, shared her mother's furious expression, not missing a chance to drag Victoria into the fray. "My sister, blood of your blood, is now truly destitute because of you. She won't let you get away with this." Upon hearing Madeline's tirade, Victoria was so annoyed she almost rolled her eyes out of her head.

She secretly wished for the downfall of the Abernathy family, who had left her mother in a state of perpetual unconsciousness, now bound to a hospital bed.

After all the heinous deeds, if Vivienne doesn't pay, it would be a mockery of justice! The audacity of her! Victoria was tempted to march over and slap her senseless.

Gavin glared at Vivienne with venomous intensity, his gaze as lethal as a snake's, wishing he could tear her apart.

"If you're so fond of your eyes, I might just gouge them out for you." Percival's grip tightened around Gavin's throat, his gaze dark and stormy, threatening to engulf him whole.

Gavin's face turned a shade of deep red, gasping for air as he struggled in vain.

Just when he thought he was on the brink of death, Percival tossed him aside like trash, without a shred of mercy.

The Abernathy family was silent, too afraid to make a sound, even the usually loud and unruly Madeline and her daughter dared not move. Only Brady rushed to help Gavin back to his seat of honor.

If Gavin was a snake slithering on the ground, then Percival was an eagle soaring high above, ready to swoop down and deliver a deadly blow.

Vivienne handed Percival a piece of paper, a court order freshly served.

Though the court case was nearly concluded, Vivienne had made arrangements for it to be resolved in her absence.

The Abernathy family's hearts sank when Harrison's shoulders slumped in defeat, his eyes filled with despair, at the sight of the document.

Victoria's expression briefly froze, understanding this was the outcHarrison deserved. After all, he had played a part in the ruthless downfall of the Littleton family, and now, he and Gavin shared the sfate. Karma, indeed, spares no one.

Percival accepted the court order, his sharp gaze slightly narrowing, a chilling severity rolling off him. "As per the final judgment by the Veridian court, the defendants Harrison and Gavin are found guilty of leading a malicious campaign against the Littleton Group, engaging in criminal activities including bribery, endangering public safety, and other charges. As per articles eighty-seven, three hundred fifty-one, six hundred seventy-two, and others, the verdict is as follows..." With a glance at Gavin, he continued, "All assets of the Abernathy family are to be confiscated, and all involved parties are to be arrested immediately for imprisonment.' " His declaration was final, resounding with authority.

Gavin's world went dark, and he collapsed, even Brady, by his side, too stunned to assist, as he spat out a mouthful of dark blood in frustration.

"My lord! You mustn't falter now; our whole family is about to be imprisoned. Think of something, Sophie is still so young; she can't be locked away!" Madeline cried, shaking Gavin's slumped body.

Gavin let out a bitter laugh. "If the Grimshaw family, with all their might, ended up this way, what makes you think I can save her? To think the Abernathy family would end up like this under my watch... I wanted us to lead as the foremost among the ancient warrior lineages. For the sake of the Abernathy family, I stooped to any level, bowing and scraping to the Grimshaws, acting like a dog!" "The head of an ancient warrior lineage? Dreaming nice dreams, aren't you?" Percival's eyes gleamed coldly, a chill in the air. Gavin snorted. "Why can't the Abernathy family dream of such a position when the Grimshaws can claim it? Our downfall is merely because my tactics weren't cunning enough." Percival spared him no further glance, standing up. "Take them away." At his command, the guards moved in to arrest them all.

Only Victoria sat comfortably to the side, a smug smile curving her lips, taking pleasure in the downfall of her enemies.

Madeline, in shock, hissed venomously, "You were the mole in the Abernathy family! It was you, always feeding information to Vivienne. It's because of you the Abernathy family has fallen to this disgrace! You traitor!" With a swift motion, Victoria slappe er, her eyes narrowing. "Traitor? After everything you put my mom indthrough, forcinginto 'our dirty deeds. If not for my mom, wouldn't have tolerated you for a lay Enjoy your lifetbehind bars, Qu'll die lonely and forgotten, which s more than you deserve for the cum you are!" ¿wThe Abernathy family, one by one, were escorted into the police vans, with Harrison, too, shackled in handcuffs. His strikingly handsface bore a deep, pensive look as he gazed at Victoria. Victoria let out a deep sigh, "Playing this charade by your side, I'm finally free l.ne She reached gut, pulling out a divorce agreement she had prepared well in advance, "Under the clutches of the Abernathy family, it was impossible to bring this up before, but ye waited for this day for SO long. Sign it." Harrison's lips moved slightly, and he chuckled lowly, "Victoria, I thought I was decent to you." "Harrison, are you listening to yourself? Decent to me? Wasn't it all for your own benefit?" Victoria retorted with a cold laugh. Harrison was momentarily speechless, then chuckled lightly, "Ha! I admit defeat." He bit down on the pen cap like a cigarette, his handcuffed hands elegantly signing his nbefore he turned and walked away, entering the police van.

Victoria didn't watch him leave; instead, she walked over to Vivienne, “I agreed to do everything you asked of me, and now that it's done, you must save my mother!" Vivienne gave a slight smile, "Don't worry, if I said I can save her, I will." "Can I see her now?" Victoria asked eagerly, clutching Vivienne's arm.

"Sure! Let Anna take you there first, and I'll follow shortly," Vivienne instructed, and Anna drove Victoria off toward the YQ Research Center.

Vivienne and Percival exchanged glances before setting off in another car, heading toward the suburbs, a route the police vans would have to take.

Percival parked the car in a secluded spot and reached inside for something, causing Vivienne to lean over curiously.

Percival's long arms wrapped around her, gently pushing her back into her seat, "Vivienne, close your eyes, I have a surprise for you." "A surprise? Strawberry cheesecake?" She closed her eyes, her long lashes fluttering, lips curved in a smile that revealed two dimples.

"Strawberry cheesecake isn't a surprise; it's something I'd always prepare for you," Percival's voice was deep and mellow, his hand couldn't resist pinching Vivienne's cheek.

"Alright, you can open your eyes now." His lips brushed against Vivienne's ear, whispering temptingly.