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.

phone and

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

from those

the house of the Ellington family's second

The doctor said you can't get out of

their imagination. A mere toss had broken

hospital

couch. "I'm going stir-crazy

useless; he was in agony. It

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

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 we supposed

hiding all day? Think you can get back

branch, with half their

had lost

Jeffrey's complaints below. She put on headphones,

her most pressing concern. It was her clandestine dealings that weighed

business was not just in the art galleries; she also needed the Ellington Group's resources and connections, even using their transportation to make

was her livelihood,

had signed agreements. If she failed to deliver

unknown number on her phone.

our hands, being moved as

find a way

Fiona rubbed her fingertips, her

unfamiliar number

she answered, "Who's

voice replied, "Ms.,

Fiona paused.

Calista?

were not close, but Fiona had

the cheap daughter of

arrest, Calista had also become reclusive. Why was she

I do for you?" Fiona asked, her

voice came through. "Got time for a