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

got his slow

took after

definitely back it up. We'll provide the location for free, but all findings must comply with

"Agreed," Nodded Vivienne.

research was always meant for the nation; she had no intention of

away her belongings and said,

was waiting outside and

a particularly good mood, a

and presented Vivienne with a box of strawberry

times she saw it, Vivienne's eyes lit up at the

cake for nothing. I'll trade

opened it and chuckled. "Only you know

planning to relocate the TCL lab, and Vivienne had already found the

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

nation will oversee the results directly, but the credit will still go to the lab. The specifics are in the contract-take a look,

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

else, it mattered little

mentor, feeling a twinge

he set up the TCL lab to carry on her research and ensure the

more powerful medical

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

on upper-level approvals to

to pull her close when she turned, swiftly

thought, "Do I look like I'm after your

silent response was,

"Mr. Wolf, I traded you

noticing the trace of cream on her lips, he leaned in and kissed

sweetness of strawberries could not compare to the unique flavor

surge of affection. It took all his