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.

out her phone and texted Percival,

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

almost see Vivienne's cunning expression from those words - like a smug little

the house of the Ellington family's

of bed yet," Heloise said, her heart

beyond their imagination. A mere toss

the timely hospital visit, he might have lost his

couch. "I'm going stir-crazy

was in agony. It was better

her off impatiently. "Never mind me. What about Fiona? Why

what, Fiona was good to him. How could he just throw her out of the company?" "I told you, I should have joined the company instead of letting Fiona hog the spotlight. Now look what's happened. What are

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? Come

of the Ellington family's second branch, with half their savings coming from her

out, they had

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

her most pressing concern. It was

needed the Ellington Group's resources

her

had signed agreements. If she failed to

unknown number on

still in our hands, being

close eye. I'll find a way

the call, Fiona rubbed her fingertips, her

an unfamiliar number

she

woman's voice replied,

Fiona paused.

Calista?

Fiona had heard of Calista in

medicine, the cheap daughter of the former

arrest, Calista had also become reclusive. Why was

can I do for you?" Fiona asked, her voice smooth, the

came through.