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

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

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

house of the Ellington

move. The doctor said you can't get out of

A mere toss

it were not for the timely hospital visit,

the couch. "I'm going stir-crazy lying in

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

"Never mind me. What about Fiona? Why was she

good to him. How could he just throw her out of the company?" "I told you, I should have joined

are you doing hiding all day? Think you can

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

had lost a significant

parents' and Jeffrey's complaints below. She put

not her most pressing concern. It

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

her livelihood,

agreements. If she failed to deliver as promised, it could cost her

number on her phone.

our hands, being moved as you

a close eye. I'll find a way to

call, Fiona rubbed her fingertips, her

an unfamiliar number

she answered,

replied, "Ms.,

Fiona paused.

Calista?

but Fiona had heard of Calista

of traditional medicine, the cheap daughter of the former

Calista had also become

you?" Fiona asked,

voice came through. "Got time for a