The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival glared at Flynn with venom in his eyes, yet his clenched fist hung suspended, unable to deliver the blow.

A sudden realization washed over him - the man before him was nothing like the uncle he remembered.

This man didn’t deserve to carry the nFlynn, didn’t deserve the family name, and certainly didn’t deserve his fury! With a slow release, Percival let go, watching Flynn crumple to the ground like a free-falling ragdoll.

Flynn made no attempt to break his fall, laughing softly as he hit the floor, a sound as dry as autumn leaves.

No one knew what his laughter meant, nor could they guess what thoughts were twining through his mind.

Percival pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his hands clean, and, with a look of indifference, tossed it beside the fallen man. “White Tiger, | wonder if you'll still be so cocky without your precious ST-1.” The laughter ceased abruptly, and Flynn's eyes, sharp as daggers, fixed on Percival.

“What do you mean by that?” With a mocking laugh, Percival said, “Exactly what | said,” and turned to leave.

Flynn tried to follow, but chains bound him tightly, rendering him immobile.

All he could do was roar at the iron bars, “Hold it! Clarify your words, stop!” Percival ignored the shouts and drove away.

Truth be told, his words were a mere guess, sparked by evidence brought back by Willa - a hunch that Flynn had been injecting ST-1.

And it turned out to be accurate.

What was the effect of ST-1 that even Flynn couldn't fo x | using it? Vivienne had confirmed that Flynn showed no signs of viral infection and was in perfect health.

But this mystery remained one that Vivienne could only unravel by solving ST-1's effects.

In the hospital, Vivienne headed to her lab, entrusting Karen's care to Willa.

Karen, still in a coma, required no special attention, but Willa felt compelled to stay by her side.

She wiped Karen's palms gently, whispering, “Sasha, when will you wake up?” She talked endlessly about their childhood memories and the days following Karen's departure from the Perez family.

“After you left, Dad seemed lost, searching tirelessly for you. He fell sick once and never fully recovered. Sasha, if you wake up, could you heal him?” After that, she started massaging Karen while lamenting, “There was this one twhen Maddox said | trained too much and offered a massage. But somehow, he dislocated my arm in the process. The pain lasted for days.

Even now, I still suspect he did it on purpose.” “I didn’t.” Startled, Willa swung around with a swift chop, only to be stopped by a strong grip on her wrist.

“I never meant to hurt you. | was trying to help, but you resisted, and | accidentally hurt you.” Maddox, holding a cake, explained, “Vivienne mentioned you haven't eaten. | brought you scake to tide you over until Sasha wakes up.” Willa pressed her lips and withdrew her hand. However, her stomach betrayed her with a grumble.

Maddox smiled and gave the cake to her. “Go eat it.” Accepting the cake, Willa began to eat in silence, not resorting to escaping this time.

“Sasha promised she'd wake up, and she always keeps her word. So, let's not worry and just wait for her,” Maddox soothed while massaging Karen's wrist, though concern lingered in his eyes.

Of course, how could he not be worried when his sister, who had just reunited with him, was now in a coma? Willa nodded, holding onto hope. She was certain Sasha would wake up.

After Maddox massaged Karen, he sat opposite Willa.

“Willa, when are you coming back? Dad’s worried about you.” Willa remained silent.

Despite cutting contact with the Perez family for so long, she had barely found any leads. F-Poison was still at large, the ST-1 mystery was unresolved, and even her inquiries at Scepter University had led nowhere.

She couldn't face the Perez family without answers.

Reading her discomfort, Maddox lightly tapped her forehead. “We'll find F-Poison. Don’t carry all the burden yourself. Just like Sasha said, you need to be happy, okay?” Willa finally spoke up, “Maddox, what is it aboutthat you like?” Caught off guard, Maddox's eyes betrayed his surprise.

“I like you... just because. There's no reason.” Willa pressed, “I don’t understand your feelings. | feel like you shouldn't like me. It's strange; | see you as a brother.” Maddox's emotions were complex, faced with being considered a brother by the one he cared for more.

“Willa, you don’t seem uncomfortable with our other brothers. What's different with me?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

This time, Willa becthe one who struggled to respond. “With them, it’s just... they're my brothers.” Finally realizing the issue, Maddox grasped her hand earnestly. “That's it. To you, they are brothers, but with me, you hesitate because you only wantto be your brother. That's the difference?” “What's the difference exactly?” Maddox paused, then said, “Because, in your heart, | could be more than your brother, right?” Willa looked down, unsure how to respond.

Maddox bit back further words, a silent mantra echoing in his mind: Don’t rush. Keep your cool. Patience is key.

Willa had always been a bit of a stubborn enigma, her understanding of emotions as clear as mud—rushing her would be like pushing a river upstream.

“Alright, let’s not think about that now. But doa favor, will you? Promiseyou won't take off again, okay?” Maddox's voice was gentle, a soft smile playing on his lips as he gave Willa’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

Willa nodded, her resolve firm. “Then can you promisesomething, too? Wait until I've tracked down F-Poison before we dive into all this ‘liking each other’ business. | just... | need to sort this out first.” “You got it,” Maddox agreed, his voice warm with affection. “Your wish is my command.”