The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Richard's mood was as gloomy as the stormy weather outside, a deep frown etched on his face, betraying his inner turmoil.

On the TV screen, Mara appeared again, barefoot, with a subtle sway of her hips, having changed into a deliberately provocative

outfit—a sheer black lace nightgown, abandoning her previous innocent facade for that of a seductive temptress.

Biting her lower lip, she refused to believe that all her efforts wouldn't sway Nathan. Tonight, she was determined to have her

desires fulfilled.

With that thought, she moved to the kitchen to pour a glass of water, retrieving the drug she'd acquired once more, dissolving it

into the drink.

Returning to Nathan, she found him slumped on the couch, his eyes tightly shut, not finding peace even in his drunken slumber.

Frustration turning her face red, Mara clenched her fists. She wasn't willing to give up now, not when she'd waited this long for the

moment. Carefully, she lifted his head and helped him drink the water, worried about waking him and ruining her plan.

As Nathan swallowed the drugged water, Mara's eyes sparkled with excitement—this drug was even more potent than the previous

one.

She struck a pose on the floor, eagerly anticipating Nathan's affection, convinced that he wouldn't be able to resist her.

Nathan's body suddenly heated up, his cheeks flushing a deep red as he felt as though his body was on fire. His eyes snapped

open, an uncontrollable urge leading him towards Mara.

With a click, his fingers reached for his belt, unbuckling it in one swift motion.

Mara had been waiting for this moment, her eyelashes fluttering as she closed her eyes, lying seductively on the floor in

anticipation.

Suddenly, a loud snap startled Mara, her eyes wide open in shock, frozen in place.

Nathan had pulled off his belt and swung it against his arm, the force causing blood to stream down, a sign of his immense

struggle for clarity.

Mara screamed, "I'm right here in front of you, and you still won't have me? What's wrong with me? Nathan, I'm a woman too!

You're humiliating me, this is the second tyou've done this."

Feeling more defeated and humiliated than ever, anger and hatred surged through her.

With another snap, Mara cried out in pain. Trembling, she touched her face, feeling the blood drip down, her screams echoing with

despair.

"This is the second tI've tried to drug you, and still, you won't touch me. | had to lie alone in bed and break my own virginity!

And now, you've disfigured my face. Do you have any idea what this face means to me? | hate you, | hate every member of the

Ellington family, | hate Cecilia, and | despise Vivienne!"

Nathan's lips were sealed tight, the taste of blood in his mouth from biting his tongue, "Someone as vile as you, I'd rather die than

touch you! My heart belongs to Cecilia alone!"

His vehement declaration reached Cecilia, who was sitting in front of the TV screen, her eyes swollen from crying, clutching

Vivienne's arm in panic, "Vivienne, please, we have to save Nathan. He's been drugged, and I'm afraid he won't make it. What if

something happens to him?"

Vivienne nodded, her gaze sharp, "He won't be harmed, not on my watch."

Upon Vivienne's arrival, Nathan was clutching his belt like a lifeline.

Seeing Vivienne, Nathan's eyes widened in surprise, unsure how she had found him. Vivienne quickly administered acupuncture to

Nathan, calming the turmoil and pain in his body.

Without Vivienne's timely intervention, Nathan feared he might have been beyond saving.

Cecilia, standing behind Vivienne, pleaded, "Nathan, | won't divorce you. | refuse to agree to it."

She cried, rushing into his arms, "I won't divorce you. I've seen everything. You never touched her; it was all her doing. How

malicious she is."

Nathan held Cecilia tightly, his eyes still filled with years of unwavering love, gently wiping her tears away, "It's okay, no more

tears."

Vivienne's gaze was dismissive, kicking Mara in the abdomen with such force that she was sent flying.

"Save your curses for the dog pit. Maybe they'll bite you less," Vivienne retorted with a smirk, her eyes filled with disdain.

"Like drugging? We'll see how you like being fed drugs every day in the dog pit," Percival added coldly, his words chilling.

As Mara recoiled in horror, screaming in refusal, Percival's gaze was unyielding, "Take her away!"

As for Richard, even the thought of seeing her again felt like it would shorten his life. He never wanted to lay eyes on her again.

Elsewhere, the car jostled uncomfortably along the secluded mountain road. Dracon Linklater, cursing under his breath, continued

driving with impatience.

Following the GPS to the designated location, he slammed the car door upon arrival.

There, in a clearing within the woods, stood a man of modest dress and slight build, waiting for him.

Dracon's eyes flashed with intense disdain, and he said irritably, "You're the one they sent to meet me?"

The man nodded, remaining silent.

R BE

The man still didn't speak. He pulled out a black blindfold from behind him and gestured that Dracon should wear it.

Dracon's patience snapped, and he cursed again, "Coming all the way to this godforsaken place and now a blindfold? What, you

don't trust me? Think I'm gonna blab about this location?"

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