The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The woman in red's pupils dilated with a smirk of triumph curling at her lips, gazing at Vivienne as if she was admiring a long- awaited masterpiece. "Because of you, of course," she drawled with satisfaction.

Vivienne's brows knitted together, but before she could retort, a gust of force struck from behind.

The robed figure who had vanished earlier launched a surprise attack from the rear, heading straight for her.

Vivienne countered with a swift wave of her hand, unleashing a burst of inner force.

However, she realized too late that it was a diversion. In the moment she acted, the assailant had already teleported in front of Abigail, attempting to whisk her away.

Percival stepped forward with a powerful strike, not expecting Abigail, hidden behind the cloak, to emerge and block his attack, providing the robed figure a chance to escape.

With Abigail severely injured, the robed figure formed a series of hand seals. In an instant, they vanished from sight, leaving behind only the sound of the wind.

Everyone was stunned. The pair had... disappeared into thin air.

Vivienne and Percival exchanged looks, astonished that such instant teleportation abilities existed in the world.

Percival narrowed his eyes. "I used all my strength in that strike. With your poison in her and her energy depleted, she should've been gravely injured, if not dead." Vivienne understood his implication. Abigail would need specific "essentials" for healing. By following that trail, they wouldn't struggle to find her.

"Draven, secure the Wright family's safety and have someone infiltrate the police force. We must take immediate control of any reports filed," shemanded.

Draven nodded, splitting the Nine Mystics Society into two groups-one to follow him and the other to stay and clean up the scene. Theirrades rushed to the site upon receiving calls.

Charlotte and Griffin arrived, their bridesmaid dresses tarnished with blood and dirt, thankfully not their own.

Both inquired simultaneously, "Are you okay, Vivienne?" Vivienne, inspecting their condition, frowned, "How bad are the injuries?" Charlotte waved off the concern with a laugh, "Just scratches, really. Thanks to your men, we managed to hold our own against those killers." Leopold grimaced, "Scratches? If I hadn't covered for you, you wouldn't have lasted a single move." Charlotte rolled her eyes, dismissing him, "Yeah, yeah, we know you're tough!" Griffin jumped in, "Of course, he's the man I, Griffin, have chosen. Wouldn't have him if he weren't capable." Amid their banter, a call cthrough to Leopold, who handed it to Vivienne, "It's for you." It was Anna, "Boss, the wedding venue was ambushed. Don'te here now; we've evacuated everyone." Vivienne's voice grew heavy, "Were there any injuries?" Anna reported, "Those who could defend themselves are fine, but many guests sustained minor injuries, including Mr. Hawthorn and his child. They've been taken to the hospital." After hanging up, Vivienne's concern was palpable, "Dorian, he..." Percival's voice tightened, reassuringly embracing her, "With mom and Finnian there, they'll be okay.' Leopold, looking at the chaos around, suggested, "Maybe we should postpone the wedding?" Percival's voice deepened, fierce determination in his tone, "Even if it's raining knives, we're getting married today." The crowd was speechless at his urgency; after all, the bride wasn't going anywhere.

Leopold, taken aback, whispered, "But the venue's gone, how can we..." Percival's gaze on Vivienne was resolute, "Then we'll marry right here." "Thomas, bring the rings." Vivienne was stunned by Mr. Wolf'smanding presence, more alluring than ever. Leopold was speechless. A wedding at an explosion site? Talk about unconventional. Thomas hurried to a bullet-ridden car, retrieving the elegantly packaged wedding rings.

At this point, Vivienne didn't care about the location. As long as the man opposite her was her Mr. Wolf, nothing else mattered. Her wedding dress, now a makeshift skirt from tearing off the cumberstrain, revealed her elegantly long legs. Her wavy hair cascaded down her waist, a stunning contrast to the chaos around them. Charlotte, seizing the moment, declared, "Then letofficiate the wedding." Vivienne raised an eyebrow, entrusting her with the role.

Griffin was dumbfounded. Was this really happening? "Do you, Percival, take Vivienne to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, and to cherish her for as long as you both shall live?" Percival's eyes shone with love, "I do. Vivienne, from now on, I'm yours tomand. You're responsible for me." When it was Vivienne's turn, she simply stated, "I do." Charlotte teased about her friend's eagerness, but it was tfor the ring exchange.

With the rings exchanged and vows made, Percival wrapped Vivienne in his arms, sealing their promise with a passionate kiss.

In that moment, amidst the turmoil, they were the only two people in the world.

Charlotte was over the moon, having played matchmaker for Vivienne and Percival's wedding. This was a bragging right she could flaunt in front of her Class Eighteen peers for a lifetime. Meanwhile, Griffin was green with envy, casting longing glances at Leopold that were hard to ignore.

Feeling the weight of Griffin's stare, Leopold's skin crawled. "What are you looking atfor? Look at them..." Griffin, frustrated, laid down an ultimatum. "You have ten days to propose to me!" "Propose what?" Leopold's heart sank. It was Vivienne getting married, so why was he suddenly in the hot seat? With a sly smirk, Griffin threatened, "If you don't propose, I'll blast your love confession forfrom a speaker at your front door for the whole world to hear." Leopold was speechless.

Percival! He thought. Calling him a dog would be an insult to dogs.

To give the lovebirds their moment, everyone else tactfully turned away.

Even members of the Nine Mystics Society busied themselves, pretending to clean up, giving Leopold sspace to sort out his "big life decision." Charlotte, on the other hand, was busy tapping away on her phone, updating her Facebook status and raking in likes after likes.

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