The Million-Dollar Heart

Astrid fidgeted nervously beside Vivienne, apparently still wracked with guilt over the previous day's events.

Vivienne, unfazed, glanced at Astrid with eyes as soft as a strawberry cheesecake and stood up.

Astrid halted her with a call, "Vivienne."

Vivienne's lips curved into a smile, her bright eyes flashing with disinterest. "What is it?"

Astrid rose and approached her, lifting her shirt.

On her slender waist was a hideous black scar.

A knife wound, poisoned.

Astrid clenched her fist. "I got this on a mission when I fell into the enemy's trap. Now, I still suffer from the pain, especially when it rains, my whole body aches.

Vivienne, I'm not trying to gain your sympathy. I just want to tell you that we've sacrificed our lives to ensure that our organization can develop a defense against the biochemical weapons of rival nations.

So, on behalf of the organization and our country, I'm inviting you to join our fight!"

Vivienne's gaze fell on the scar on Astrid's waist.

It was clearly real.

She grasped Astrid's wrist and felt for her pulse.

The poison had been lurking in her body for years; she, indeed, had suffered greatly.

Vivienne casually took out a life-saving pill and popped it into Astrid's mouth. "This poison isn't hard to cure. Just come to me once a day."

After a pause, she added, "I'm quite interested in what you've said. I'll give it a try."

Astrid froze, surprised. "You mean you agree?"

Vivienne nodded slightly. "Yeah, but I'm out if your experiments don't meet my standards."

"Great. You'll find our experiments fascinating," Astrid said with a smile. "I'll notify the organization and see when they can take you to the lab." With that, Astrid went into her room.

Looking at her door, Vivienne let a sly smile creep onto her face.

pulled out her phone and texted Percival, [How's

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

from those words - like a smug little

the house of the Ellington family's second

you can't get out of bed yet," Heloise said, her heart aching for

imagination. A mere toss

the timely hospital visit, he might

couch. "I'm going stir-crazy lying

was useless; he was in agony. It

impatiently. "Never mind me. What about Fiona? Why was she

wench Vivienne's doing. Percival isn't any better. No matter what, Fiona was good to him. How could he just throw her out of the company?" "I told you, I should have joined

equally furious, shouting upstairs to Fiona's room, "Fiona, what are you doing hiding all day? Think you can get back into the company that way?

second branch, with half their savings coming from

was out, they had lost

ignoring her parents' and Jeffrey's complaints below. She put on headphones, locked the door, and tuned

pressing concern.

she also needed the Ellington Group's resources and connections,

her

failed to deliver as promised, it could

unknown number on her phone. "How's it

in our hands, being moved as you

eye. I'll find a way to get

the call, Fiona rubbed her fingertips,

unfamiliar

she

woman's voice replied, "Ms., I'm

Fiona paused.

Calista?

were not close, but Fiona had heard of Calista in their

cheap

arrest, Calista had also become reclusive. Why was she

Fiona asked,

came through.