The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 9

Vivienne returned to her own bedroom and walked to the window, her expression extremely serious.

She thought about the little girl she had just saved at the entrance of the mall, her brow furrowed tightly.

She had spotted it instantly. The girl was poisoned, and not just by any poison but a potent one

concocted by her own mother that could mutilate the face if it took effect. Before her mom passed,

someone had come to snatch the formula for the poison. It had taken her years to figure out the

antidote.

Vivienne tapped her fingers lightly against the window sill, deep in thought. Time was running out for

the girl. Who in the world took the poison formula, and why on earth would they poison a kid?

Vivienne ceased her tapping, pulled out her phone and dialed Matthew.

“Can you check if any hospital admitted a five–year–old girl with sores all over her face today?”

Matthew responded with a quick “okay” and hung up. Vivienne leaned against the window with her

phone in hand, waiting quietly. About half an hour later, Matthew called back, “Found her. She’s in the

VIP ward in Havenwood Hospital’s internal medicine department.”

“Alright, got it.”

Two days later.

Vivienne arrived at Havenwood Hospital. As she got out of the cab and walked into the hospital, a black

sedan zoomed past her.

Inside the car, Percival caught sight of Vivienne in the rear–view mirror. His eyes narrowed instantly,

“Stop the car.”

Thomas hit the brakes hard, sending everyone lurching forward. He turned to ask, “What’s up, Mr.

Ellington?”

Percival didn’t answer. He didn’t even wait for Thomas to help him with his wheelchair. He just opened

the car door and got out. He scanned the crowd, for the figure he saw earlier but couldn’t find her.

Leopold got out of the car and walked up to him, asking, “What’s going on?”

Percival withdrew his gaze, “Nothing, let’s go.”

On the other side.

Vivienne entered the VIP ward. She stood at the ward door, looking at the little girl.

The girl looked much better after taking her medicine. Vivienne rested her hand on the doorknob,

debating whether to go in.

This was one of the toughest decisions she’d ever made in her life. Getting involved could blow her

cover. Her mother’s affairs were complicated, and she needed to remain low–key. But the thought of

the little girl’s bright, clear eyes gave her pause. If only someone had helped her ten years ago, she

wouldn’t have had to watch her mother die right before her eyes. She couldn’t bear the thought of the

same thing happening to this five–year–old girl.

Just as she was hesitating, the ward door opened. “Miss, is that you? Are you here to see me?” Isolde

asked, her eyes sparkling as she grabbed Vivienne’s hand, feeling very delighted. She’d caught a

glimpse of someone outside the ward who resembled the lady who’d saved her, so she ran out without

thinking. To her surprise, it was really her.

Vivienne looked down at the hands holding hers, then up into Isolde’s clear eyes. Her heart was

inexplicably softened. She gave a small smile, “Yes, I came to see you.”

“I knew you’d come to see me,” Isolde said excitedly, tugging at Vivienne’s hand. “Miss, can we go in?”

Vivienne was pulled along by her, unconsciously entering the ward room.

Eartha looked surprised to see Vivienne, “Ms. Hawthorn?”

Vivienne nodded, “Yeah, I came to take care of some things and saw you guys here, so I came over.”

Eartha quickly poured Vivienne a glass of water, “Please, have a seat.”

Vivienne nodded, then turned to Isolde, “I’m here to check on you.”

Isolde nodded, smiling, “Great.”

Her obedient demeanor left Eartha stunned. Because Isolde always hated it when doctors examined

her. She’d only behave a little when Percival was around, but as soon as he left, no one could touch

her. Yet now, she was voluntarily extending her hand to Ms. Hawthorn, so well–behaved it was

unbelievable. If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, Eartha would’ve thought she was hallucinating.

Vivienne placed her hand on Isolde’s wrist and used the medical knowledge she possessed to check

her pulse. After a moment, Vivienne’s brow furrowed deeply and her complexion grew increasingly

grim.

Although Isolde had taken her medicine, the poison had already infiltrated her organs. Some of the

toxins had been cleared, but her damaged organs were still failing, making treatment challenging.

Eartha felt a twinge of worry, “Is our young miss okay, Ms. Hawthorn?”

Vivienne glanced at Isolde, her lips pressed together. She reached out to stroke Isolde’s head,

speaking softly, “I can cure your disease, but it might be a little painful. Are you scared?”

“Really?” Isolde’s eyes lit up. “Can my face go back to the way it was?”

“Yes.”

Then I’m not scared.” Isolde said seriously, “As long as you’re here, I’m not scared.”

Vivienne smiled, “Good, but I have one condition. You can’t tell anyone I’m treating you, not even your

family.”

Vivienne thought: Better play it safe.

Chapter 9

“Deal.” Isolde patted her chest in assurance.

Vivienne then turned to Eartha, “And you?”

Eartha looked a little troubled. She was just a nanny, and she couldn’t make such decisions on her

own.

“She’s okay with it too,” Isolde chimed in before Eartha could answer.

“But…”

Eartha wanted to say something, but Isolde suddenly burst into tears, “Eartha, I get called a ‘freak‘

every day. I have no friends, and I can’t go to school.

I’m miserable.”

Taken aback by Isolde’s tears, Eartha quickly comforted her, “Don’t cry. I’ll agree to Ms. Hawthorn’s

request.”

With her affirmation, Vivienne nodded, “Okay, I’ll start treating you tomorrow.” After leaving her phone

number, Vivienne left.

Inside a private villa.

As soon as Percival walked in, he heard a wailing voice, “Oh good heavens, why am I so unlucky! I

finally found a wife for your grandson, but he was such a goof that he scared her off… At my old age, I

can’t believe I still have to worry about his marriage. I can’t take it anymore, please come and help me.”

Percival watched as Richard was blowing his top in the living room, his brows furrowing. He pinched

the bridge of his nose, helplessly saying, “Grandpa. It was the Hawthorn family’s daughter who wanted

to call off the engagement.”

No sooner had he spoken than Taran bellowed, “You ungrateful grandson! Are you trying to make me a

promise breaker? I promised Evelyn that I would marry him to the Hawthorn family’s daughter, but this

ungrateful child is making me break my promise. What am I supposed to do? How am I going to

explain this to Evelyn when I meet her after I die?”

Percival leaned back in his wheelchair, taking a deep breath. Behind him, Thomas and Leopold didn’t

dare to utter a word. Speaking at this point would only invite Richard’s wrath.

“Enough. What do you want?” Percival was getting a headache.

“You’re coming with me to the Hawthorn family.” Taran sprung up abruptly, his sudden movement

causing Leopold and Thomas to look on in shock.

Percival rolled his eyes. What else could he say?