The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

The Linklater family had always been a close-knit bunch, but today, something was amiss. Sasha arrived at Daphne's place with two pots of lavender, a gesture meant to cheer up her ailing friend. The house was unusually silent, with only Daphne present, looking paler

than usual.

With a smile, Sasha teased, "Hey Daphne, guess what I've brought for you?"

Anna, another member of their circle, was out on an errand, leaving Daphne alone. Upon hearing Sasha's voice, Daphne managed a weak smile and set aside her book. "Captain, you know I appreciate the thought, but flowers aren't going to cheer me up right now." Sasha wasn't deterred. "Come on, you used to love gardening. If anything, now's the time to surround yourself with your favorite blooms. The scent alone might lift your spirits, don't you think?"

Daphne's eyes sparkled for a moment before she nodded. "Thanks for the thought, Captain."

Sasha, however, couldn't hide her disappointment. "But lavender? You've always had a love-hate relationship with it, given your history with a rival named Lavender. She went too far in trying to beat you, even targeting your loved ones. Needless to say, she met a grim end by your hands."

Daphne's expression darkened. "Why bring up such painful memories now, Sasha? It's been years. I'd rather leave the past where it belongs."

Sasha's tone turned icy. "You would, wouldn't you? Because you're not Daphne. Am I right, Abigail?"

Caught, Abigail didn't bother denying it. Her demeanor unchanged, she retorted, "So, you figured it out because of some plants? Amusing."

Sasha's patience was wearing thin. "Where's Daphne?"

Abigail's smirk was chilling. "Guess you're too late, Captain. She called out for you with her dying breath."

At that moment, Anna burst in, eyes red with fury. "My mother didn't die back then, and it's you who harmed her again?"

Abigail, unfazed, replied, "She wouldn't submit to me. It's her own fault."

Anna's anger was palpable. "For that, you killed her?"

Abigail shrugged. "She was just a pawn. If she couldn't serve my purpose, she was expendable."

"That's where you're wrong!"

Vivienne entered, flanked by Percival. She had orchestrated Anna's departure to reveal the truth.

Abigail, now facing Vivienne, smirked. "I did all this to draw you out. From manipulating Anna to infiltrating the Linklater family, all to get the artifact in your possession."

Vivienne's resolve was clear. "You've underestimated the loyalty of those around me. Your fate will be far worse than any of your pawns."

The showdown was inevitable.

Abigail, revealing her true face, faced off against Sasha and Vivienne. The Linklater family was united, ready to protect their own and avenge the wronged, proving that in their world, bonds of loyalty and love were the true source of strength.

Abigail cocked a smirk, "Ordinary faces? They're hardly a match for mine."

Sasha glanced at Vivienne for confirmation, and a wave of shock swept through her.

It seemed far-fetched, yet the unfolding events left little room for doubt.

Vivienne suddenly asked, "What's your plan for the ancient warrior lineage?"

Abigail wasn't in a hurry, despite today's decisive showdown. "How can I execute my grand scheme if don't stir the pot? I need obedient pawns, not a unified front that's tough to crack. Only by sowing discord among them can I make my move."

Vivienne narrowed her eyes, "So, the promise you made to Declan was a lie?"

Abigail laughed, "A useless pawn. I've already drained all his powers. Keeping him was merely to make you think he's of any value. As for the wealth he's hoarding, I can get as much as I want."

"Him?"

Sasha stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke up, "If you're truly a descendant of that family from two centuries ago, surviving till now, how many lives have you taken? Haven't you ever feared divine retribution?"Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

In this adaptation, I've maintained

the essence of the original dialogue

while incorporating more

Westernized names and a conceptual framework that aligns with a broader audience. The ancient warrior lineage, a concept that might resonate with tales of noble families or ancient orders in Western contexts, hints at a deep-rooted legacy. The dialogue also subtly touches upon themes of power dynamics, betrayal, and the moral quandaries associated with pursuit of immortality or prolonged life, themes that are universal but framed here in a manner likely to be familiar to Western readers.