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

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

from those words - like a smug

of the

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

beyond their imagination. A

hospital visit, he might have

the couch. "I'm going stir-crazy

lying there was useless; he was in agony. It was better to move a

mind me. What about Fiona? Why was she

of the company?" "I told you, I should have joined the company instead of letting Fiona hog the spotlight. Now look

Fiona's room, "Fiona, what are you doing hiding all day? Think you can get back into the company

branch, with half their savings coming from

was out, they had lost a significant source

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

company was not her most pressing concern. It was her clandestine dealings that weighed on her

business was not just in the art galleries; she also needed the Ellington Group's

was her livelihood,

agreements. If she failed to deliver as promised, it

on her

still in our hands, being

a close eye. I'll find a way to get her

rubbed her fingertips,

unfamiliar number

hesitating, she

voice replied,

Fiona paused.

Calista?

not close, but Fiona had heard

the cheap daughter of the former Brooks

become reclusive. Why was she

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

voice came through. "Got time for