The Million-Dollar Heart

In a clandestine surveillance room somewhere.

Calista's wrists were bound by handcuffs, surrounded by stark white walls that seamlessly blended with the door. A shiver ran down her spine, and fear pounded in her heart.

She had been knocked unconscious by Percival and when she came to, she found herself trapped in this sterile cell, too terrified to resist.

Had her research on the viruses been discovered? Would that mean the death penalty?

No, it couldn't be!

Lost in thought, Calista was jolted back to reality by the sound of the door unlocking. Her eyes widened in alarm as she watched the door intently.

Soon after, a figure in a black trench coat entered the room. It was Mr. B, who tossed a key toward her without a word.

It was the key to her cuffs.

"Mr. B, what's going on? Where am I? Do I still have to return to the lab?"

Before she could get her bearings, Calista was met with a slap that sent her tumbling to the floor.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as the blow nearly knocked her out.

"Fool, who gave you permission to collaborate with Fiona behind our backs?" Mr. B's voice was harsh and undisguised. There was no need for pretense anymore; Calista's identity had been exposed, and from now on, she could only operate under strict surveillance.

Calista was stunned. Mr. B was a woman?

Mr. B removed her hat, revealing Astrid's familiar face, the disguise still in place, "Tell me, where is Boar Poison?"

Calista, regaining her senses, was shocked to see Mr. B's true appearance.

"You're Vivienne's sister!"

her

know. Fiona didn't give me Boar Poison. She said she'd hand it over at the critical moment for me to use on Vivienne. Today, I didn't

moment to seize Boar Poison, but Fiona had

involving vital goods for GTO had always depended on Fiona's

an organization backing her, one with the capability to acquire Boar

to replicate Boar Poison, especially since Karen's

Boar Poison had resurfaced, GTO was determined to acquire

floor,

Calista hesitated before placing

from its socket. The next instant, Mr. B had her by the neck, "Calista, do you know

Calista. The gentle face before her inspired a deep-seated terror, "I... I don't

around Calista's throat, "I value your medical expertise. If you can't produce the Boar Poison within a month, your life becomes

felt a chill run through her. She was playing with

develop it, I'll definitely get it

up from below, and with a few dripping sounds, Mr.

no longer an option for you. You'll be taken to your new lab, remember, you only have

wiping her hands disdainfully, Mr.

of regret. Her remorse was beyond words. If only she had known Vivienne was Specter Healer, she never would have

At TCL Labs.

had brought

director's not here, and we're not allowed

nodded, "Carry on with your

casting a sidelong glance at the hat-wearing woman behind Percival, his heart skipping a

woman! But who would dare to look

better, Holden

led Vivienne to Calista's office door, which

from nowhere, he slid it through the reader and with a beep,

full