The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the shadow-draped halls of the Abernathy manor, a chill hung in the air, so palpable it was as though the room had plunged into an icy cellar. Gavin Abernathy exuded a frostiness that was more than just the temperature; those familiar with him could see the panic mingling with the cold in his eyes.

His thoughts, however, had already drifted elsewhere.

One fact consumed his mind: Emrys Abernathy had been taken by Vivienne and Percival.

And now, the Ellingtons were aware of the incident with Holly Ellington.

The Ellington family might not boast the ancient lineage of warriors like the Grimshaws, but their dominance in Rivenwood's elite for decades spoke volumes of their influence and power. In other words, while they might not challenge the ancient Grimshaw warriors, they were certainly a match for the Abernathys.

To the public, the ancient lineages were almost mythical, revered as demigods. Yet, the truth was, their differences from the average families were minimal: unique abilities passed down, and wealth-inheritances that could last several lifetimes.

But times were changing rapidly. What was left by their ancestors, not only for the Abernathys but even for the Grimshaws, was dwindling.

This scarcity was precisely why the ancient families had becmore visible lately; they were running out of their stockpiled wealth and needed new means to sustain themselves.

Gavin's wealth, much of which cfrom unsavory sources like his dealings with Kipling, was not enough to guarantee safety anymore. With the Ellingtons possibly seeking retribution, the Abernathys were in a precarious position.

Gavin frowned, his voice heavy, "The Ellingtons taking someone... This complicates things." "Dad, if he's really with Vivienne, we're out of options!" Harrison Schram's right eyelid twitched more violently at the thought. "None of those involved back then were particularly tough." Gavin wasn't so quick to lose hope, "Not necessarily. My brother trustsmore than anyone. Even if Vivienne has him, I doubt he'd betray us. My fear is..." He glanced at Victoria Abernathy, his gaze laden with a complexity only he understood.

Harrison, catching the unfinished thought, looked puzzled, "Dad, what are you saying?" "Nothing," Gavin shook his head. The matter regarding Holly in Emerald City wasn't suitable for Victoria to know, "As long as Emrys doesn't talk, even if Vivienne has him, it won't matter." Harrison, not as familiar with Emrys, couldn't share the sentiment.

"Dad, since Emrys is your brother, why don't we claim he was kidnapped by Vivienne and demand his return?" As soon as he finished speaking, both Gavin and Victoria turned their gaze towards him—one filled with outrage, the other with schadenfreude.

This was the first tGavin had ever lashed out at Harrison since he married into the Abernathy family, "Ridiculous! You know the history between us and the Ellingtons. To stoop to dealing with them over a lost cause would be humiliating!" "But..." "Enough, let's not push your father," Victoria intervened, foreseeing another outburst. "Dad's right. We don't even know where Vivienne is hiding him. Charging in might just backfire, especially if the Ellington patriarch is unaware of the situation." Gavin, finding solace in his daughter's words, nodded in agreement.

Perhaps comforted by Victoria's reasoning, Harrison finally fell silent.

Gavin, his mind a whirlwind of anxiety and speculation, wondered if the Ellingtons' silence meant Holly was dead.

Yes, that must be it. Holly was Richard Ellington's cherished daughter, the jewel of their family. Her suffering would not go unaddressed.

The realization brought Gavin a momentary peace.

Victoria, destined to be the sole heir of the Abernathy legacy, had been rivy to their secrets and strategies With a glance, she understood her ather's thoughts, a testament to her eadiness to lead their family into he future. ¿wA barely perceptible smirk played on Victoria's tips as she cast another glance at Harrison, whose calm demeanor couldn't quite mask his underlying anxiety. She marveled inwardly at their acting skills. Both men were putting on quite the show! If she hadn't already known her mother's whereabouts, she might have actually fallen for their act.

Feigning ignorance, Victoria lounged in her chair, legs crossed, her expression one of impatience. "I say we just sit tight and watch how things unfold. Harrison, you go bac to your lab work. As for the Ellingtons, we'll keep an eye on them for now. If push comes to shove, we'll resort to drastic measures." Neither of the men objected to her plan. Especially Harrison.

He was on his feet before she even finished speaking. "Alright then, we'll do it your way. Dad, Victoria and I will head back now. Callif anything comes up." At a mall adjacent to the hospital.

Leopold Sterling was tasked with picking up sessentials for the Littleton Mansion.

While browsing the kids' section, considering whether to buy a piece of clothing for Amelia, an arm silently wrapped around his.

His instincts, honed from years of experience, kicked in instantly. He dropped his shopping bag and grabbed the wrist, twisting it in the opposite direction. A sharp scream echoed throughout the floor.

Thomas, who was perusing items on the outskirts, rushed over at the sound. "What happened?" Leopold, still holding the person, hadn't even looked at their face before he said, "Someone was following me, I caught them!" "Following... Are you sure?" Thomas took a closer look at the person Leopold was restraining.

The woman's face was scrunched up in pain, tears brimming in her eyes.

Thomas's eyebrows knitted together in confusion and he pointed at the woman's face. "Maybe you should take a good look at her before accusing her of stalking." Leopold didn't understand his point. "What do I care what she looks like? Even if she's a knockout, she's still a stalker... Wait, it's you?!"