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 texted

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

Vivienne's cunning expression from

the house of the Ellington family's second

can't get out of

was beyond their imagination. A mere toss had

hospital visit, he

"I'm

was in

me. What about Fiona? Why was she kicked

anger. "What else? It was that 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

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

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

they had lost a significant

complaints below. She put on headphones, locked the door, and

most pressing concern. It was her clandestine dealings that weighed

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

her livelihood,

failed to deliver as promised, it could cost

unknown number on

in our hands, being moved as

eye. I'll find a

the call, Fiona rubbed her fingertips, her usually cool face fading

unfamiliar

she answered, "Who's

replied,

Fiona paused.

Calista?

were not close, but Fiona had heard

traditional medicine, the cheap daughter

had also become reclusive.

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

voice came through.