The Million-Dollar Heart

Ethan was utterly shocked.
He had thought Percival was merely testing the waters, but now...
It was clear Percival had all the evidence he needed.
Weighing his options, Ethan found Samantha of little concern. To him, she was nothing more than an old witch, delusional if she
thought she could ensnare him.
His interest in Samantha was purely because she was working on a so-called "Elixir of Life," and since she was his aunt's
protégé, he felt obligated to protect her at all costs.
However, despite Samantha's advanced age, her seductive tactics varied each time, igniting his desires in a way that gave him a
perverse thrill.
Even if Samantha failed to produce the Elixir of Life, keeping her around for his own pleasure seemed like a viable option.
But now, he had to make a decision.
Seeing him silent, Oliver's face darkened. He slapped Ethan across the face, his voice thunderous, "You scoundrel! What have
you done?"
The slap was charged with inner strength, heavy, causing Ethan's mouth to bleed. Wiping the blood from his lips, Ethan stared
back malevolently, "What have I done? I've taken control, trampling you all underfoot!"
Hearing this, Asher burst out in rage, pointing at Ethan, "I knew it! You heartless beast, always up to no good!"
Asher then turned to Oliver, "Dad, take a good look. This is your chosen successor? He's going to ruin the Grimshaw legacy!"
Oliver was furious, "When did you start plotting this?"
It was clear that the involvement of Vivienne and Percival, acting on behalf of the government, indicated the gravity of the
situation. The state feared that the entire ancient warrior lineage might be uprooted.
Ethan's conspiracy couldn't have been a recent development; otherwise, it wouldn't have attracted such national attention.
With a sinister smile, Ethan replied, "When did I start? It's been so long, I've forgotten. Probably around when I was ten."

"What?" Oliver frowned, then narrowed his eyes, "Back then, were you planning to replace me, or to kill me?"
Vivienne and Percival stood by nonchalantly, signaling Leopold and Thomas to halt, as the group quietly observed the unfolding
drama.
Ethan's grin widened, hinting at malevolence, "Of course to kill you!"
Oliver paused, then burst into laughter, "Ha! In my life, I've met all sorts of people, but I never expected to raise a wolf in sheep's
clothing. You hid it well, even fooling me."
"If I hadn't hidden it well, would you have taught me your powers?" Ethan looked up, his eyes filled with intense hatred, "I
groveled and flattered you, all to learn everything you knew, gain your approval, and take over the Grimshaw family."
He glanced around, his gaze settling on Asher, and sneered, "Once I take over the Grimshaw family, your days are numbered."
"You think you can kill me?" Oliver scoffed, "Don't flatter yourself. Despite everything I taught you, you're still a disappointment."
"Is that so?" Ethan retorted, swinging a heavy blow at Oliver, who dodged, "You've reached the fifth level!"
"I've been at the fifth level for a while. While I might not be able to kill you yet, injuring you severely is within my means."
Ethan then turned to Vivienne and Percival, "I just needed more time to surpass him. Why did you have to intervene now? Why
not wait until I could kill him with my own hands?"
"He forced my mother, made her bear me, then rejected us both. He's a monster, deserving of death. I was so close, why?"
"Because you're foolish, that's why," Vivienne replied calmly.
Ethan's face turned ashen, "No! You're the ones who've interfered!"
Vivienne smirked, "There were many ways you could've avenged your mother, yet you chose the most ineffectual. You knew the
person behind you was using the Elixir of Life as a facade, seeking to overturn this era and rule once again. Yet, you blindly
served her."
"Ethan, our nation's development is built on the sacrifices of countless heroes. Our people's happiness is
protected by those who've faced et

danger head-on. Did you think to overturn an era without considering the will of the nation, the people, or even me?"
While Vivienne claimed no high moral ground, her love for the country was influenced by her mother.
Though initially reluctant to serve the nation, accepting the task meant she had a duty to protect it.
The individual seeking to disrupt this era would have to contend with her, and even if she fell, countless others who loved their
country would stand in their way.
The might of Veridia could not be challenged lightly.
Ethan's expression stiffened, then he scoffed self-deprecatingly, "I never wanted to serve her. But she could help me control the
Grimshaw legacy. All I wanted was revenge."
He never desired to upend the era. With Veridia's strong history, any attempt to disrupt the current state for personal gain
seemed foolish. What use was the Grimshaw legacy if the era itself was overturned?
His only desire was for Oliver and Asher's demise, and while he could easily take Asher, Oliver remained a challenge.
He needed help from an outside force, and this force was Abigail.
In reality, the woman everyone called Abigail wasn't actually his aunt.
Oliver didn't even have any sisters. The woman, widely known as Abigail, was a mystery to him. He had no idea who she really
was, only that she was incredibly powerful.
How powerful, you ask?
Bulletproof powerful.
To him, Abigail was a freak of nature, so he had no choice but to follow her lead.
Because, no one dared to cross Abigail. Those who did, met a dire fate!
"You think she's going to help you get revenge?" Vivienne scoffed. "With her powers, she could easily wipe the Grimshaw family
off the map, but... what she wants isn't the destruction of the Grimshaw family." Vivienne's gaze lifted, her voice cold as ice,
"What she's after is the Grimshaw family's heirloom, the Talisman of Aegis!"

At her words, Oliver's face paled, obviously, he had figured out who she was talking about.
Oliver glared at Ethan for a moment
before stepping towards Vivienne, bowing slightly, "The Grimshaw family will cease resistance and is willing to undergo
government investigation. We hereby withdraw from the ancient warrior lineage. Please, Ms. Hawthorn, Mr. Ellington, spare my
niece, Ramona."
"Are you talking about Ramona?" Vivienne asked.