The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

"Ah!"

Screams echoed through the floor, as the girls in the room frantically shook the railings in front of them.

"Let us out! What on earth are you doing? Why was there an explosion?"

The mayor barely managed to regain his footing on the unsteady floor, as Vivienne, not far from him, raised an eyebrow in his direction.

"Was this your doing?!" the mayor pointed at Vivienne, furious, his eyes bulging with anger.

Vivienne chuckled, "I told you before, you're no match for me."

The townspeople who had rushed over were either dead or injured from the bomb dropped outside, and the few who remained ran up in panic to the mayor, "Mayor, it's bad! Someone's bombing us outside!" The mayor, annoyed, pushed one of them to the ground, "You think I'm deaf?!"

The entire town was in disarray after the bomb, everyone dropping what they were doing and running home.

Carly, watching from her room, pulled the curtains closed and leaned against the wall, murmuring, "Did you manage to do it?"

The mayor was still negotiating with Vivienne, "Even if you level this place, you won't escape. Why not cooperate with us?"

Hearing this, Vivienne paused, locking eyes with Percival, who saw a hint of something different in her gaze.

Alright, his Vivienne was up to something again.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

Percival smiled indulgently, "Whatever Vivienne wants to do, I'll always support her."

The mayor was baffled by the couple's exchange, thinking, isn't this the worst time to be lovey-dovey?

Gregg: "Are we just pawns in your game?"

Vivienne ignored their stares and smiled at Percival, "Okay-"

Turning to the mayor, Vivienne's smile vanished, "What cooperation? Let's hear it."

Everyone was startled by Vivienne's sudden change of demeanor. Little did they know this fierce and powerful woman was a hopeless romantic?!

Percival: No, I'm the romantic one, not Vivienne.

The mayor, grimacing, took a moment to compose himself before responding, "With your capabilities, why not join us? We can offer you something that will definitely satisfy you."

Vivienne scoffed, unimpressed, "If I wanted to take you all down in one fell swoop, I would have done it already. Why the need for all this talk?" She raised her bow, aiming it at the mayor's forehead, "I could end you right now. Still want to talk?" The mayor broke out in cold sweat, not expecting Vivienne to be so resolute.

Vivienne pulled out a bunch of keys from her pocket, and the mayor instinctively searched his own pockets, realizing what he needed was indeed in Vivienne's hand.

Before he could react, Vivienne had already unlocked one of the doors, and the girls in the room rushed out, only to realize there was no escape.

Their exit was blocked by a cold wall, with the mayor and his men standing in front.

The mayor stepped forward, "Thinking of escaping with all these people? Do you really think you're some kind of god?"

In a desperate situation, the mayor shifted from his previously anxious and fearful state, giving Gregg a knowing look.

Vivienne watched, curious to see what they could possibly do.

Gregg returned quickly, carrying two children in his arms.

Suddenly, Vivienne realized something, frowning at the sight of the children. Indeed, in the next moment, she recognized familiar faces. "Juliette, Isaiah!" Vivienne's demeanor changed drastically as she saw her children, who should have been safe, appearing here.

Percival was equally surprised to see the children brought over. He grabbed Vivienne's hand, ready to verify their identities before taking action. Vivienne remained silent, her gaze fixed on the children, recognizing the bracelets on their wrists at a glance as belonging to her own kids. Juliette and Isaiah were unconscious, limp in Gregg's grasp.

"Ha, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit? Your Kids are in my hands; did you really think I had no leverage the mayor pointed at the children, "I've had them checked born during the most auspicious times, they're perfect for activating the ritual. Using them will ensure success!"

"Ha! You can't stop me!" the mayor laughed maniacally, ready to throw the children into the ritual.

Percival lunged at Gregg, engaging in a fierce struggle. Gregg, seemingly powered by some unknown force, fought with the tenacity of the wild creatures they had encountered in the forest, relentless in his attack.

Percival had been training his inner

energy for years, but he was

surprised to see Gregg, an old friend turned rival, displaying the same

kind of power. It had been a whinet

since they last crossed paths, and now Gregg seemed not only to have mastered inner energy but also to have enhanced it unnaturally.

Staring down at Gregg, whose eyes glowed a demonic red, lost to any sense of consciousness, Percival wondered if this was the result of some new drug experiment. Before he could contemplate further, Gregg charged at him with the ferocity of a bull. Percival dodged with ease, but Gregg's relentless attacks, fueled by an unnatural vigor, began to wear him down.

As they both unleashed their inner energy, Percival was suddenly knocked back, only to be caught by Vivienne. "Something's off about him," Percival muttered.

Vivienne nodded, handing him a pill. "Take this. He's on another level, more beast than man now. This might drag out."

Percival noticed Vivienne's worried expression but chose to focus on the task at hand - keeping Gregg occupied so she could work her magic.

Vivienne turned to the group of terrified girls. "Get inside and stay there!" she commanded, and they scrambled back to their safe haven, all too eager to escape the chaos.

Her gaze never left Mayor Thompson, who was holding a child hostage. Her eyes began to burn with a fierce determination. "Let the child go!" she demanded, her voice raspy with urgency.

Mayor Thompson sneered, unimpressed. "Oh, should I just comply because you asked nicely? Where's my pride in that?"

He made a move to lift the child higher, provoking Vivienne's wrath. "You're asking for it!" she roared and charged at him with such speed that he saw only a blur before she appeared right before him. As she raised her knife, he quickly lifted the child as a shield. Vivienne's eyes widened in horror as she stopped abruptly, the knife inches away from the child's face. "What's the matter? Ready to kill your own flesh and blood? You've got a heart of stone," Mayor Thompson taunted, smirking at her predicament.