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.

her phone and

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

cunning expression from

the house of the Ellington family's second

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

was beyond their imagination. A mere

hospital visit, he might have

the couch. "I'm going

was useless; he was in agony.

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

of the company?" "I told you, I should have

sat nearby, 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 out and figure out how to ask your grandpa

mainstay of the Ellington family's second branch, with

they had lost a significant source

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

was not her most pressing concern. It was her

she also needed the Ellington Group's resources and connections, even using their transportation to make

was her

she had signed agreements. If she failed to deliver as promised, it could cost

number on her phone.

our hands, being moved as

Keep a close eye. I'll find a way to

the call, Fiona rubbed her fingertips, her usually

an unfamiliar

she answered,

replied, "Ms.,

Fiona paused.

Calista?

had heard of Calista

medicine, the cheap daughter of the former Brooks family

Calista had also become reclusive. Why was she

you?" Fiona asked, her voice smooth, the earlier

cheerful voice came through. "Got time