The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As their post on Facebook went live, their phones began to explode with notifications, buzzing incessantly without a moment's pause.

If not for the fear of missing something crucial, Percival was tempted to just switch his phone off.

Sitting next to Vivienne, he poured her a glass of water and whispered, “No worries, I'm tough. | can take a hit.” Vivienne chuckled. “I won't let you get hit!” Percival freed one hand to ruffle Vivienne’s hair, his smile brightening in the sunlight, “You're the best, Vivienne.” After lunch, Vivienne lounged on the paswing, taking in the view of the backyard.

The yard was simple and tidy, with a patch dedicated to a variety of herbs next to the gate.

Flowers of all sorts surrounded the herb garden, and in its center stood a swing set and a stone table. The wicker chair was positioned under the shade of a willow, and as the breeze brushed by, Vivienne felt a sense of peace.

She had spent ten years at Emerald Mountain, isolated and with little contact with the outside world, consumed only by vengeance.

But now, she was living the life she had longed for.

Vivienne turned to look at Percival, who was tidying up in the open kitchen, her smile impossible to hide. “Mr.

Wolf, when did you set up this lovely place? How cyou never mentioned it?” “After we moved to Rivenwood, | started looking around. A farmhouse like this is easy to find, but it took a while to find one that was both tranquil and had a nice environment.” Percival cout of the kitchen and sat in the wicker chair beside her, his long fingers entwining with hers. “The previous owner, a centenarian, passed away, and his son wanted to sell it to leave Rivenwood. So, | bought it.” The farmhouse had been the hof an old couple who had lived together through thick and thin, from their youthful days of struggle to their secluded retirement in the countryside. What Percival envied most was their unwavering love right up to the end. He wanted to grow old with Vivienne, just like them.

Hence, he had bought the farmhouse, hoping sof that old couple's good fortune would rub off on him and Vivienne, allowing them to live the life they wanted.

Lifting Vivienne’s hand, he kissed her delicate skin and murmured, “Vivienne, | know you love peace and quiet. | wanted to wait until we are older to settle here, but I couldn't wait to bring you. After we catch that poisonous rat, let's live here, just us, our own life.” Vivienne already adored the farmhouse, and Percival’s words only deepened her affection. “This is the life I've always wanted.” They lay on the lounge chairs, chatting and enjoying the cool breeze, and without realizing it, they drifted off to sleep.

Suddenly, Vivienne sat up with a start, her forehead crashing into Percival’s nose.

Percival, clutching his nose, looked at her helplessly.

“Mara!” She exclaimed.

Rubbing Vivienne’s head, Percival asked, “What about her?” “She toldthis morning that her brother Huxley Boyd has been locked up in a sanatorium in M State. The guy with Carl must be Huxley,” Vivienne said.

“Let's go see Mara,” Percival decided.

Their plans to stay at the farmhouse overnight were thus abruptly changed.

Percival had drunk at lunch and couldn't drive, so he called Thomas to pick them up.

Soon enough, Thomas arrived, and they drove towards the hospital.

Midway, a flashy red sports car suddenly appeared out of nowhere, blocking the road.

Thomas's face was stone cold as he said, “Percival, we've got company.” Percival shielded Vivienne. “Let's check it out.” Thomas unbuckled his seat belt and stepped out to investigate. He tapped on the car window, but the man inside was unresponsive.

Frowning and on high alert from years of combat experience, Thomas gestured a warning to Percival inside the car, then opened the door.

As soon as the door swung open, a sharp steel knife thrust out, aiming for Thomas's throat.

Thomas dodged swiftly, grabbed the wrist wielding the knife, and yanked the man out of the car.

They scuffled briefly, but it was clear the man was no match for Thomas, who floored him with ease.

But as Thomas subdued his opponent, the man’s head bizarrely detached, spilling blood onto the street.

Bystanders screamed and retreated in horror, having never witnessed such a gruessight—a living person decapitated in broad daylight! Thomas himself was stunned, not just because he hadn't exerted much force but because, even if he had, no man’s head should pop off so easily.

But he quickly realized something was amiss.

This was no human! It was an android! Percival and Vivienne, having exited the car, looked down at the deactivated android with cold eyes.

Then, amid the commotion, cries for help were heard.

Turning, Vivienne saw a woman relentlessly attacking a man, kicking him mercilessly between the legs. The man was on the verge of passing out from the pain.

A few people tried to intervene, but the woman had a weapon and swung it at anyone who cclose.

Vivienne sprang into action, snapping the woman's arm in one swift motion.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

The woman's arm instantly detached with a crack.

After the initial shock of the decapitation, the crowd was less surprised this time. They were completely numb to the violence.

Suddenly, a rogue motorcycle burst onto the scene, recklessly tearing through the crowd.

Percival sprinted into action, bounding across the rooftops of three parked cars, and pinned the motorcycle to the ground with a forceful grip.

The rider was snapped in half at the waist, crumbling into two pieces in an instant.

With a powerful kick, Percival extinguished the engine of the now uncontrollable motorcycle, which spun several times before coming to a halt on the pavement.

Cradling the upper half of the rider in one arm, Percival announced, “It's a fake.” All three of the suddenly violent assailants turned out to be androids.

Vivienne furrowed her brows in confusion. How could there suddenly be three rogue androids on the loose? Just then, Thomas’ phone rang. It was Leopold.

“The hospital's overrun with attackers—damn it, we can barely keep them at bay! They're of all ages, both men and women!” Percival’s phone buzzed as well, with a call from the office.

“Mr. Ellington, a mob of strangers has invaded the company premises. They're wreaking havoc—smashing and hitting people! What should we do?”