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 texted Percival, [How's it

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

almost see Vivienne's cunning expression from those

the house of the Ellington

The doctor said you can't get out of bed yet,"

A mere toss had broken Jeffrey's

were not for the timely hospital visit, he

"I'm going

useless; he was in agony. It was better

off impatiently. "Never mind me. What about Fiona?

bristled with 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 the company instead of letting Fiona hog the spotlight. Now look what's happened. What are we supposed to do now? Wait to starve?"

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

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

out, they had lost

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

from the company was not her most pressing concern.

she also needed the Ellington Group's resources and connections,

was her

she had signed agreements. If she failed to

an unknown number on her phone. "How's it

still in our hands, being moved

eye. I'll find

the call, Fiona rubbed her fingertips, her

unfamiliar number

she answered, "Who's

woman's voice replied, "Ms.,

Fiona paused.

Calista?

but Fiona had heard

prodigy of traditional medicine, the cheap daughter of the former

arrest, Calista had also become reclusive. Why was

do for you?" Fiona asked,

came through. "Got time for