The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

Percival's gaze snapped to the source of the noise, his pupils dilating in shock at the sight before him.

"Who said you could lose focus during our duel?!" Gregg roared, rage fueling his voice as he launched another punch towards Percival. At this moment, Percival's anger had reached its boiling point. With a swift move, he charged at Gregg.

Gregg only felt a gust of wind brush past his face before he found himself, along with his weapon, crashing through two trees.

Crashing to the ground, it wasn't long before Gregg spat out blood, the effects of his potions completely worn off as he passed out. Though Percival had dealt with Gregg, more challengers like him kept appearing, preventing him from reaching Vivienne's side in time. Vivienne's eyes, cold and devoid of warmth, fixed on Mayor Thompson. "How did you manage to take them away?"

Mayor Thompson couldn't help but burst into laughter at her question. "You think you're all that, but you forgot our master is even more cautious than you? These kids were brought here by him personally. You'd be gloating if not for that fact, wouldn't you? Unfortunately for you, the kids are in my hands now!"

Connor had already prepared a backup plan, ready to whisk the children away at the first sign of danger to ensure their safety.

Hearing Connor's words still echoing, Mayor Thompson smirked at Vivienne, "I tried to reason with you, but you wouldn't listen. So, there's no point in further discussion. I'm about to use your precious children to activate the ritual!"

Turning on his heel with a child in tow, Mayor Thompson started to walk away. Vivienne attempted to follow, but was suddenly blocked by a crowd of people.

They quickly obscured Mayor Thompson from view, leaving Vivienne glaring at these obstructive pests. "You're courting death!"

The girls in the room witnessed Vivienne's ruthless efficiency, her blade swinging without hesitation, each strike lethal.

"Track Mayor Thompson; he has Juliette and Isaiah."

Draven, caught off guard by Vivienne's words, wondered how these children ended up here.

But before he could dwell on it, as he worked on cracking the tracker, he noticed more people heading their way.

"Master, there are incoming hostiles; can't confirm whose side they're on."Exclusive content from NôvelDrama.Org.

Vivienne, blade in hand, slightly lifted her chin, commanding, "If they're not one of ours, eliminate them!"

"Understood!" Draven pinpointed the locations and sent scouts to survey.

The moment Vivienne broke through the encirclement and received Draven's tracker map, she didn't hesitate to chase the moving red dots up the mountain.

The mountain's eerie silence was soon broken by the sound of children, tightening Vivienne's heart instinctively.

"Why are we here? Where's Mr. Boyd?" Juliette Ellington frowned at Mayor Thompson, her voice filled with confusion and fear.

Mayor Thompson, already drained from carrying a child and the long trek, struggled with each step.

"Let me go!" Juliette's struggle was futile until she bit into his hand.

"Ah!" Mayor Thompson cried out in pain.

Instead of releasing her as she expected, he merely glanced at Juliette before pinching her tiny arm, "You little beast dared to bite me. Just wait to see how I'll deal with you!"

Worried Juliette's cries would draw Vivienne, he quickly gagged the children, "Better not choose Vivienne as your mother in your next life."

"Your so-called Mr. Boyd was nothing but a ruse. Thanks to him, I could bring you here. He's still your favorite Mr. Boyd, isn't he?" Mayor Thompson couldn't help but laugh, his sneering tone causing even the usually silent Isaiah Ellington to frown. Mayor Thompson continued his taunts all the way to the mountain's peak, where, standing tall, he looked down at the children, "You don't know, do you? Your dear mother almost killed you herself just now. If not for me, you'd be dead!" This was the first time Juliette had heard such words, her eyes widening in shock.

Isaiah, sensing Juliette's distress, squeezed her hand, offering a reassuring glance.

Finally reaching the summit, the barren peak held nothing but a cave, which seemed oddly sinister.

Mayor Thompson dragged the children to the cave's entrance, "Stop looking. Your mother can't even take care of herself, let alone come for you. Soon, I'll grant you a swift death."

He began fidgeting with something on the ground, and as he tossed aside the last pebble, the ground started to tremble.

Feeling the tremors, Vivienne could no longer remain calm. Her pace quickened as she raced towards the summit.

Mayor Thompson watched, barely containing his excitement as the mystical formation floated above the town square. His plan, so grand and malevolent, was finally coming to fruition, and he was convinced no one could stop him. Not anymore. His madness was evident as he approached the two children with a menacing snarl, lifting them off the ground with ease. "Off you go," he cackled, tossing Juliette into the swirling vortex first, quickly followed by Isaiah.

Vivienne arrived at the scene just in time to witness her children being sucked into the tempest. "No!" she screamed, her voice lost in the howling wind as she watched them rise.

Thompson, spotting Vivienne,

couldn't help but boast. "I told you no one could stop me. Who do you think you are? Your children will purpose. Once the

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formation is activated, you're all doomed. What can a Specter Healer do against this? After today, it will all be over!"

The storm ripped the clothes from the children's backs, and amidst the chaos, Juliette locked eyes with Vivienne Mommy," she mouthed her voice drowned out by the storm as tears streamed down her face. The next moment, both she and Isaiah were disoriented, tossed about by the violent wind.

Fury built within Vivienne as she watched Mayor Thompson's gloating. Unbeknownst to him, the skies were changing. Even at the formation's activation, he hadn't anticipated such a violent reaction from the elements.

"What's happening?" Mayor

Thompson cried out in panic as the sky darkened ominously, lightning cracking through the air. He dropped to the ground as a lightning bolt struck close by, miraculously not affecting the formation or hitting the ground directly.

When he dared to look up, he was met with a shocking sight. Vivienne was channeling power, her form surrounded by billowing dark smoke. And then, in a blink, he saw them-her eyes, glowing a fierce crimson against the dark stormy backdrop.