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.

not help

realized where Thaddeus got his slow nature-it was

took after

returned quickly with what Vivienne needed. "Vivienne, the boss says 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

"Agreed," Nodded Vivienne.

was always meant for the nation; she had no intention

belongings and said, "I

outside and escorted her to the

was in a particularly good mood, a smile playing

into the back and presented Vivienne with a

times she saw it, Vivienne's eyes

nothing. I'll trade you this," she said, handing over the

opened it and chuckled. "Only

lab, and Vivienne had already found the perfect

cake, Vivienne said, "I want to merge the TCL lab with the YQ

superiors. The nation will oversee the results directly, but the credit will

mother's last wishes, to complete the research she had

it mattered little

of his mentor, feeling

his mentor's passing, he set up the TCL lab to carry on her research and ensure the

with YQ would mean more powerful

it would have the nation's endorsement, keeping outside interference

on

to pull her close when she

I look like I'm

silent response

swallowed the last bite. "Mr. Wolf, I traded

trace of cream on her lips, he leaned in

strawberries could not compare to the unique flavor of

a surge of affection. It took all