The Million-Dollar Heart

Astrid eyed the laboratory entrance before her, the very threshold of a top-secret national research facility she had once infiltrated with Vivienne. A sly grin tugged at the corner of her mouth as she pressed the button on the remote.

A gust of wind swept by, yet nothing ensued.

Disbelief etched across Astrid's features as she jabbed the button several more times, her expression darkening with each futile attempt.

Suddenly, she whipped out a gun, spinning around with a swift motion.

Vivienne, along with Percival and Leopold who was bemused, emerged from behind her.

Astrid showed no signs of panic; instead, a calm detachment washed over her.

"Figures, you're not one to fall for tricks so easily," Astrid declared, wielding the gun in one hand while discarding the useless remote with the other.

A flicker of regret crossed her gaze as she looked at Vivienne, "Had you joined us, our victory would've been assured by now."

Vivienne's eyes sparkled with amusement, her smile broad and radiant. "Your disguise is pathetic, Mr. B."

Mr. B, now unmasked as the impostor, gave a nonchalant shrug, making no move to remove his mask, "When did you catch on?"

Vivienne pondered for a moment, "Around the time I stumbled upon Scott, perhaps?"

Vivienne then let out a derisive chuckle, "You were too naive."

Mr. B's eyebrows rose inquisitively, "Impossible. You'd never interacted with me when you blew Scott's cover!"

A laugh escaped Vivienne, "Once wasn't enough?"

Mr. B's pupils constricted, still puzzled.

Before impersonating Astrid to get close to Vivienne, Mr. B had thoroughly researched his target. With the help of Alfred, the bumbling fool, Mr. B knew every minute detail of Astrid's life - from her catchphrases to her subtlest expressions and mannerisms.

mother, hadn't

had met only once, possibly

B's expression, Vivienne knew he still hadn't grasped

exasperation, "Mr. Wolf, I told

head, showing empathy, "You've

stay on task, please? This is a mission, not a time for public displays

jaw, "That's quite

she swiftly launched a

B's control over his legs vanished, and with

interrupt. It displeases me," Vivienne's eyes glinted with a cold edge, adding a chilling beauty to her already enchanting face. Mr. B gripped his gun tighter but knew better than

Leopold, Mr. B stood no chance of a guaranteed

a bullet. And even if hit by chance, Mr. B was aware that he would be the one to suffer the

of the question. He

wore a subtle smirk, "Mr. B, you didn't actually think you'd get the chance to pull the

suddenly realizing his fingers

smug face and understood that he had been drugged and

message from Thomas: [Subject is

phone, "Leopold, take him

and subdued the defenseless Mr. B, handcuffing him with the restraints he had learned to carry at all times since capturing Scott. "Mr. B," Leopold taunted, " My Vivienne has a knack for phrenology. No matter how you change your appearance, you can't fool her eyes. Did you really think you were

It all made sense.

flawless disguise, yet

Monastery, a disciple of the renowned Finnian, whose greatest skill was

extensive research had shown that Vivienne did not practice phrenology, nor had she ever offered such services. So how did she discern Mr.

my

"No matter how skilled you are, you can't imitate the warmth in Astrid's eyes. The

her master's. Finnian

the age of twenty-five, she was forbidden from reading fortunes,

master's warning and refrained from

read fortunes, Vivienne possessed the ability to read bone structure,