The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne chuckled softly, "Just a small issue. Drink more water, and cut down on soft drinks. The toxins might be flushed out, but don't overlook the aftereffects. Keep hydrating to wash away any remnants." "Thanks, Vivienne," Astrid replied, pouring Vivienne a glass of water. "I'll be heading back to work at the office in a few days. I'm going to need you to keep an eye on things at home. It's been..." "No need for a speech," Vivienne interjected as Astrid started to get sentimental.

Astrid grinned. "What can I do? You're just too lovable. Even chatting with you feels like a breath of fresh air."

Sometimes, she wondered if she had saved the galaxy in a past life since this lifetime had blessed her with such a wonderful sister.

She could not be there to care for her parents or look after her little brother Thaddeus properly. Without Vivienne, she was at a loss.

And this time, if not for Vivienne, she might have... Well, she might not have made it at all.

As an agent for the National Security Bureau, she was acutely aware of the grim fate awaited someone like her if captured by enemy spies.

If not for Mr. B needing her DNA to conceal her identity and Alfred wanting to wring state secrets from her, she would have been silenced long ago.

Their last attempt to transfer her was meant to be the end of her. Her hair and eyes were more than sufficient to get her DNA.

If Vivienne had not found her in time, she would have faced not just death but the horror of being left unrecognizable.

Vivienne tapped her wrist lightly. "If you feel awkward about it, how about we pull some strings? What do you say?" Astrid paused for a moment. "Pull some strings?"

"Yeah," said Vivienne, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"What are you up to, Vivienne?" Astrid asked, puzzled.

Vivienne pulled out a document from her bag, an idea she had had since leaving the TIC Research Institute.

She had yet to find the right opportunity to implement it.

But with Astrid's connections, they could surely find the perfect place.

Astrid glanced over the document and declared, "I'll report this to our superiors right away."

Her decisiveness outpaced even Cordelia. Before Vivienne could respond, Astrid was already on the phone with her boss.

help but

realized where Thaddeus got his slow nature-it was all

definitely took

your idea is solid. The country will definitely back it up. We'll provide the location for free, but all findings must comply with national regulations and pass through the National Security Bureau.

"Agreed," Nodded Vivienne.

was always meant for the nation; she had

away her belongings and said,

and escorted her

was in a particularly good mood, a smile

and presented

it, Vivienne's eyes lit up at the

won't just take your cake for nothing. I'll trade

chuckled. "Only

relocate the TCL lab, and Vivienne had already found the perfect

want to merge the TCL lab with the YQ lab. Our research directions

the results directly, but the credit will still go

intent on fulfilling her mother's last wishes, to

everything else, it mattered little

mentor, feeling a twinge of

to carry on her research and ensure the medical advancements she

with YQ would mean more powerful

nation's endorsement,

need to rely on upper-level approvals to

pull her close when she turned, swiftly polishing

thought, "Do I look

response was,

last bite. "Mr. Wolf, I traded you

on her lips, he

strawberries could

a surge of affection. It took all his willpower to