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.

could not help but laugh

realized where Thaddeus got his

definitely took

The country will definitely back it up. We'll provide the location for free,

"Agreed," Nodded Vivienne.

meant for the nation; she had no

belongings and said, "I should

and escorted

particularly good mood, a smile playing

the back and presented Vivienne with a box

saw it, Vivienne's

Wolf, I won't just take your cake for nothing. I'll trade you this," she said, handing over the item she

and chuckled. "Only you know

lab, and Vivienne had already

with the YQ lab. Our research directions are the same;

The nation will oversee the results directly, but the credit will still go to the

fulfilling her mother's last wishes, to complete the research

it

thought of his mentor, feeling a twinge

he set up the TCL lab to carry on

TCL with YQ would mean more powerful medical technologies and

the nation's endorsement, keeping

to rely on upper-level approvals

idea," Percival said, about to pull her close when she turned, swiftly polishing off the last of

thought, "Do I look like I'm after

silent response

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

trace of cream on her

of strawberries could not compare

of affection. It took all his willpower to