The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 731

As Dorian's panicked shout pierced the air, Vivienne and the others snapped to attention. Rushing to the doorway, they caught up to Dorian just as he was bolting towards the garage.

"Whoa, hold up, cowboy!" Leopold grabbed Dorian's arm. "We'll drive you. Where to?"

"The hospital! Step on it, to Downtown Medical Center!"

His voice was raw with urgency, his fingers quivering like aspen leaves in the wind. He looked like a kid who'd lost his favorite toy, eyes red and swollen with the threat of tears.

Only now did Vivienne notice the change in Dorian, whom she hadn't seen in a few days. Silver streaks had begun to weave into his hair like frost creeping over autumn leaves.

Her eyes lingered on him for a moment before cold realization dawned upon her. She remembered Cordelia's mysterious disappearance, and her expression turned to stone.

"Leopold, floor it!" she ordered.

Percival was already on the phone with Thomas. "Get the guys closest to Downtown Medical Center on it, pronto! Find a patient named Cordelia Wilson. And make it snappy!"

They managed to shave the usual half-hour drive down to mere minutes.

Upon reaching the hospital lobby, Thomas was already there waiting. Dorian didn't need guidance; he punched the elevator button and headed straight for the wards.

"What's the situation?" Vivienne asked, with Percival and the others close on her heels.

Percival glanced at Thomas, lowering his voice as he asked.

Thomas shook his head, hinting at grim news. "No idea when she was admitted, but I've got people digging into it. As for the poison in her system, only Vivienne," he nodded at Vivienne, "can likely deal with that."

The elevator wasn't big enough to contain the tension. Everyone heard Thomas's words, including Vivienne, who turned a sharp gaze back to Dorian.

She wanted to interrogate him, but the words halted at her lips.

When they reached Cordelia's room, which was already guarded by their own, Dorian burst in. Seeing Cordelia resting peacefully, a semblance of calm washed over his distraught features.

Grasping Cordelia's hand tightly, tears began to cascade down his cheeks.

Cordelia lay on the hospital bed, her complexion ghostly pale, her lips devoid of color. Her usually gentle eyes were shut tightly, as if bearing an immense pain, her eyelids fluttering in a futile attempt to awaken.

Vivienne's face darkened, and she strode forward. "Dorian, let me handle this."

With a single look, Percival and Leopold helped separate Dorian from Cordelia.

Vivienne's slender fingers touched Cordelia's wrist, and the longer she felt the pulse, the graver her expression became.

"Vivienne, how is she?" he asked, voice laced with dread yet clinging to a sliver of hope.

Vivienne's expression was icy as she interrogated him. "Cordelia was poisoned. Why didn't you tell me? Who has been in contact with you?"

Her anger was palpable. She couldn't bear to think what might have happened if she hadn't come today. Cordelia could've been left to die!

Percival caught the shift in Dorian's demeanor after Vivienne spoke, his face turning ashen. "Is Cordelia's poisoning that bad?"