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.

Cordelia, her own mother, hadn't noticed

Vivienne, whom he had met only once,

Vivienne knew

glanced at Percival with a touch of exasperation, "Mr. Wolf, I told you they were no

showing empathy,

seriousness, "Can we stay on task, please? This is a mission, not a time

jaw, "That's quite

brows knitted together as she swiftly launched a silver needle from her

with a thud,

Mr. Wolf, do not interrupt. It displeases me," Vivienne's eyes glinted with a cold edge, adding a chilling beauty

even Leopold, Mr. B stood no chance of

open space, a well-trained individual could easily dodge a bullet. And even if hit by chance, Mr.

escape was out of the question. He needed to wait

wore a subtle smirk, "Mr. B, you didn't actually

paused, suddenly realizing his fingers were

looked at Vivienne's smug face and understood that he had been drugged and was powerless to

message from Thomas: [Subject is secure, no

his phone, "Leopold, take

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 flawless?" Mr. B froze upon hearing Leopold's

It all made sense.

disguise, yet Vivienne had seen right through

Emerald Monastery, a disciple of the renowned Finnian,

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

"You've played along with my charade for quite some time. It seems we must refine our art

are, you can't imitate the warmth in Astrid's eyes.

even her master's. Finnian often

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

her master's warning

couldn't read fortunes, Vivienne possessed the ability to read bone structure, a skill unrelated to