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.]

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

the Ellington family's

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

their imagination. A mere toss had broken

timely hospital visit,

limped to the couch. "I'm

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

me. What about Fiona? Why was she

No matter what, Fiona was good to him. How could he just throw her out of the company?" "I told you, I

nearby, equally furious, shouting upstairs to Fiona's room, "Fiona, what are you doing hiding all day? Think you can

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

had lost a significant source

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

the company was not her most pressing concern. It

the Ellington Group's resources and connections, even using their transportation

her livelihood, her

she had signed agreements. If she failed to deliver

number on her phone.

still in our hands, being moved as you

Keep a close eye. I'll find a way

rubbed her fingertips, her usually cool face fading to

unfamiliar

hesitating, she answered, "Who's

replied, "Ms., I'm

Fiona paused.

Calista?

close, but Fiona had heard of

medicine, the cheap daughter of the former

also become reclusive.

you?" Fiona asked, her voice smooth,

voice came through. "Got time