The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Tyler sat in the back, and, seeing the three people looking confused, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious, afraid that his wife wouldn't be able to say it clearly.

"Kaitlyn, letexplain. Ms. Hawthorn, this thing, it's like this. It doesn't matter if you use poison or destroy its roots. All it takes is a drop of its sap, and in less than a day, the herb will grow back to what it is now." He pointed at the herb that was clearly smothered in a box, but still bright green and fresh, "Not only that. Its sap can also save other, smaller plants about the ssize as it." Vivienne's eyes twinkled with mischief, “But this herb can't cure people, can it?" Plants and animals, though both forms of life, are fundamentally different from a biological standpoint. This herb may seem miraculous, but if it can't even save a plant slightly bigger than itself, so how could it resurrect the dead or heal broken bones? Indeed, Kaitlyn nodded in agreement. "It's just an herb, not skind of elixir from a fairy tale. How could it possibly bring back the dead? Honestly, this thing isn't really about immortality at all." Vivienne noticed a flash of resentment in Kaitlyn's eyes.

Kaitlyn continued, “But I don't know who spilled the beans about the Littleton family having this herb. Speople believe that since it can revive plants, it must contain the secret to eternal youth. They wanted to take it for research, but it is our family heirloom, the only thing of value the Littleton family has left. My father refused to give it up, and they... they killed my entire family! I'm useless. I couldn't even avenge them!" Kaitlyn's hands trembled as she clutched the box.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow.

The Littleton family was murdered? Wasn't it said that Kaitlyn's parents had committed suicide due to a business failure and financial crisis? Vivienne had yet to investigate the Littleton family's situation thoroughly, only hearing a few versions from others, and had assumed Kaitlyn's parents had taken their own lives.

Seeing Kaitlyn's eyes redden, Vivienne patted her shoulder in a comforting gesture as she said, "Kaitlyn, what do you needto do for you?" "This thing is of no use to me." Kaitlyn pushed the box forward. "If it weren't for this, my family wouldn't have been brought to such a tragic end! But my father's dying wish was forto protect it, and I can't go against his last request!" But most of all, she didn't want those villains to win! Anna glanced at the box's contents and asked, "You're not thinking of giving this to Vivienne, are you?" Was this thing really as magical as Kaitlyn claimed? It looked no different from a common weed.

And yet, having been confined in a box for so long without wilting, it was indeed strange.

To everyone's surprise, Kaitlyn nodded and pushed the box directly in front of Vivienne, "Ms. Hawthorn, I want to give this to you. You're capable, and I believe you can protect this herb well. If not, just burn it!" Vivienne reached out, tugging at Percival's sleeve, who understood and stepped forward to take the box. "So I should really burn this?" "Really burn it?" Vivienne's expression didn't seem to be joking.

Kaitlyn's previously valiant spirit seemed to diminish by half. With pleading and reluctant eyes, she occasionally glanced at the box in Vivienne's hands. The pain on her face was clear for anyone to see.

Especially since Vivienne's face showed little emotion.

Tyler prided himself on being an astute judge of character, but even he couldn't tell if she was joking.

Worried that Kaitlyn might not be able to let go and suddenly ask for the item back, he almost spoke up. Kaitlyn wouldn't suddenly change her mind, would she? Sadie and Julian also felt anxious for Kaitlyn, their expressions clear to Vivienne. The longer the tpassed, the harder it becfor her to suppress her smile.

"This is useless to me. Since you don't want it, Kaitlyn, it's best to burn it to avoid any trouble." To avoid any trouble.

Kaitlyn's eyes flickered and said, "Yes, to avoid any trouble! Better to burn it, so I won't have to live in fear anymore. Keeping it is just a curse." Her eyes filled with an apology, "Ms. Hawthorn, I'm so sorry. Even though I knew this would bring trouble, I still involved you. Please return it to me, and I'll burn it right now." She was determined! Her father's last words were not as important as her family's safety! Kaitlyn reached for the box, but Percival subtly stepped aside, causing her to grasp at air. She teetered, about to fall.

Tyler shouted, "Careful!" Amid the gasps of surprise, Anna quickly steadied her. "Kaitlyn, are you alright?" Vivienne rushed to Kaitlyn's side, her concern evident, while shooting Percival a dark look.

Percival stiffened.

His Vivienne was becoming more unreasonable by the minute.

It was her idea to tease Kaitlyn, and now she was glaring at him.

Percival chuckled silently, his eyes filled with fondness.

But even if she was unreasonable, he adored her all the more.

The Littleton family couldn't grasp the subtleties of their interaction, but Anna had an inkling.

The struggle to keep from laughing was evident by her twitching lips, indicating she knew Vivienne was only joking.

Not wanting Kaitlyn to catch on too quickly, Anna had been darting her eyes around ever since Vivienne arrived. Caught off guard, she met Percival's tender gaze towards Vivienne.

Such a meltingly warm look made her wonder about Soren.

No, why was she thinking about him?

That lazy mutt was still snoozing away, completely oblivious to the the world. Whatever dreamworld he was lost in must have been pretty darn captivating to make him forget his own team! With a shake of her head, Anna refocused on the unfolding before her.

In the end, Kaitlyn couldn't tell if Vivienne was spinning tales or speaking the truth, but that herbal remedy Vivienne had been raving about somehow ended up at the YQ Research Center. Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates... "Hey, Vivienne!"

Leopold, with his hair looking like a bird's nest, had finally found refuge in a safe spot. Lifting his head, he saw Vivienne and Percival, with Anna in tow, strolling by. “Percival!” he yelled, but the duo, caught up in their own world, didn't hear a thing. Brody was practically tearing Brian's shirt off. "You lardass! What's your deal with me, huh? My hard-earned research is in ruins because of you!" "Freak! How's that my problem? You're the one who wasn't careful!" Brian shot back, not one to back down easily.

With a wrestler's precision, Brian locked Brody's neck in a firm hold. "You twisted freak, quit pulling at my pants!" Brody shot back, "Then letgo!"