The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As he rose from his seat, Vance poured a cup of coffee for Percival and continued, "Take the Sheldon family; they're known for their

fortune-telling and longevity. The Perez have a knack for telekinesis, and the Martinez? They can communicate with animals. The

Abernathys, they can read minds. As for the Grimshaws, I'm not sure about their family secret. But | do know they've stolen

something very important from others."

Percival, his curiosity piqued, asked, "What's that?"

"Our family's heirloom technique," Vance revealed. "It allows one to alter a person's meridians without any harm in a very short

period of time."

Percival stood up abruptly, his voice cold, "You're saying that the method to alter meridians is your family's?"

Vance noticed Percival's serious demeanor and felt a sense of unease.

It was as if Percival had heard of this technique before.

Vance stood as well, "You don't mean to say you've seen this technique in action?"

Percival nodded, "Recently, Vivienne and | encountered a woman with extraordinary martial abilities. Yet, her meridians seemed no

different from an average person."

That day, Percival and Vance discussed many things in the office.

When Percival left, he even took sdocuments from Vance's drawer with him.

Stepping out into the afternoon sun, Percival thought about everything he had learned and was about to call Vivienne when he saw

Arthur approaching.

"War God," he addressed Arthur, clutching the documents from Vance's office. He intended to exchange brief pleasantries and

move on.

After all, as someone who had long since resigned from Vanguard Agency, lingering around could stir up trouble.

Arthur responded coolly. He was about to pass by when he remembered that the man before him had been engaged to a lady from

the Brooks family.

He halted, "Hold on. Percival, your fiancée is from the Brooks family, isn't she?"

A glint of recognition passed through Percival's eyes, "You're right, War God. Vivienne's father is from the Hawthorn branch of the

Brooks family. She's the daughter of Dorian Hawthorne."

He did not mention Vivienne's relationship with Scott, nor did he reveal her biological father, choosing instead the only father

Vivienne had acknowledged so far, despite their current estrangement.

Arthur was aware that Percival was withholding something, but he wasn't concerned. He got straight to the point, "Have you ever

heard of a woman named Winnie in the Brooks family?"

"Winnie?" Percival furrowed his brows.

The nrang familiar, yet he couldn't recall where he had heard it. But as far as he knew, no woman by that nexisted in

either the Brooks or Hawthorn families, "No, | haven't. Are you looking for her, War God? | can ask Vivienne for you."

Arthur had always been a hero to Percival, and this small favor was the least he could do.

Arthur didn't refuse the offer. Looking at Percival, he felt a newfound respect, "I'd appreciate that."

"Anything else, War God?" Percival asked, already inching toward the exit.

Arthur pretended not to notice his eagerness to leave and spoke again, "I heard you know the Specter Healer?"

Percival's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

The fact that Vivienne was the Specter Healer was common knowledge among the Linklater family, with Dracon being one of them.

Why then did War God seem unaware?

Percival's gaze grew more guarded, "Yes, | know her. What do you need her for, War God?"

Arthur had only a clue to go on, and he hadn't expected Percival to actually know the Specter Healer. He said, "It's my father. Ever

since he was poisoned, his health has been declining. I've heard of the Specter Healer's miraculous skills and wanted to consult

her. If you could helpfind her, I'd be deeply grateful."

Percival looked at Arthur with an indescribable expression, "War God, don't you know that my wife treated Yorick’s poisoning? She

is the Specter Healer. She said that once Yorick's poison was treated, he only needed to rest to recover fully."

He paused, then added, "Moreover, my wife personally gave your father a pill she developed, which greatly aids in recovery. If his

condition has worsened, perhaps you should consider other causes."

Percival rarely spoke so much, but he did now for two reasons: respect for War God and to prevent anyone from using him and

Vivienne as pawns. If their schsucceeded, wouldn't his intelligence be wasted?

Arthur's hawk-like eyes suddenly narrowed, and a chill emanated from him. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled, "I understand."

Excellent!

Someone had dared to play games with him. He had already identified the culprit behind his father’s poisoning and would have

taken action if not for the need to lure out the mastermind behind it.

And now, someone dared to use him?

Percival knew Arthur was smart enough to have figured out the situation.

Without further words, he said, "If there's nothing else, | should be going."

Arthur nodded, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Percival replied and left, feeling the weight of the documents in his hand and the gravity of the conspiracies

unfolding around him.

Returning from the Vanguard Agency, Percival noticed Vivienne had been seated in the living room of her apartment for quite some

time.

Her striking almond-shaped eyes were fixated on the black box on the table, the liquid inside shimmering like the finest emerald

under the light.

Unfortunately, to those familiar with it, they knew this small amount of substance could claim the lives of an entire school!

Percival, of course, couldn't fail to recognize it, "Where did this cfrom? A sample sent over from the Martinez family?"

"No."

Vivienne recounted the events from the castle, "Mr. Wolf, | suspect there's a traitor within the Martinez family. According to the

Nine Mystics Society's investigation, although many countries are researching biochemical weapons, domestically, it's only the

Martinez family that’s known for it, especially something like this, where the toxin is so pure, it must be connected to them."

Knowing what she was getting at, Percival continued, "I'm aware, but the Martinez family is currently collaborating with us. That

woman managed to get her hands on this stuff. And the Grimshaw family, she must have lured them, too. What exactly is she

trying to do, setting you against the Grimshaws?"

Vivienne was also unclear, feeling as if she was caught in the middle of an enormous enigma.

The mastermind behind the mystery seemed to be luring her deeper into their web, and even though she knew traps lay ahead,

she had to follow the path for the sake of their plan.

However...

Did that woman think she was the only one capable of scheming?

With that thought, Vivienne sneered, "If I'm not mistaken, that woman must be tied to the Grimshaw family. | met Asher today, and

if he doesn't look seven parts like the woman in red, he's got at least a resemblance. There's definitely a connection between

them."

Percival nodded in understanding, closing the box with one hand, "Since she wants to pit us against the Grimshaw family, let's turn

the tables on her and give her a performance she won't forget."

"I'll call Griffin now and arrange to meet her at the café."

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