The Million-Dollar Heart

In the dimly lit basement of a house tucked away in the sleepy suburb of Rivenwood, Calista found herself inexplicably transported to this place, shrouded in darkness.

She huddled on the cold floor, with the constant, eerie sound of dripping water echoing throughout the room. Each drop seemed to land directly on her heart, causing her to shiver uncontrollably. The bruises from Mr. B's beating had not fully healed, and she winced at the occasional twinge of pain.

After what felt like an eternity, punctuated only by drifting in and out of sleep, Calista finally heard footsteps approaching.

Scrambling to kneel, she began to plead toward the sound, "Mr. B, I've done it - I've developed the Boar Poison, just like the sample you gave me. Please, I beg you, let me go!"

Click.

A blinding light suddenly filled the room, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut in pain and fear.

"You've got the wrong person, sweetheart. Stand up."

Calista's heart skipped a beat at the sound of the voice, not unlike the mechanical tone Mr. B had once used before dropping her facade.

As her eyes adjusted, she could make out a figure dressed just like Mr. B - a trench coat and a fedora shadowing his face.

"You're not Mr. B?" She whispered, disbelief lacing her words.

"I'm the boss, the one she answered to. Call me boss if you like, but I'm not fond of the title. I prefer you call me F-Poison." F-Poison dusted off her coat nonchalantly. "Ah, got it. You thought I was Belle because of the outfit, right?"

Despite her terror, Calista could detect a note of amusement in the grating mechanical voice.

F-Poison's smile was there, but the aura he exuded - one of unflinching ruthlessness - was never present in Mr. B.

"Belle is Mr. B. I told her that name was too harsh, not fitting for a girl. 'Clementine' would've been much cuter. Don't you agree, Dr. Pendleton?" F-Poison squatted in front of Calista, seemingly earnest in her inquiry.

whatever you say is right..." Calista stuttered, seated on

a shame, really. Raising her to be

raced. Mr. B

explain the sudden change of

hard, she ventured, "Mr. F, what would you have me do? I am at your

hung by a thread,

F-Poison's face as he patted her head. "Good girl.

ask of me!" Calista agreed instantly, her survival

"Then brace yourself."

fell, her consciousness fading. She watched F-Poison reshape her features with her

out of Calista, F-Poison said calmly, "I don't have a choice. Vivienne recognizes people by their bones, and a

At the Ellington family.

exception. With Fiona in her wheelchair, brought by Heloise, and even the elusive Kenneth present, there was a sense of occasion. Percival and Vivienne

sitting beside him as naturally as if she had always

dared to claim such intimacy with Richard. Yet here was Vivienne, not even officially part

youngest son after so long. Vivienne caught Kenneth avoiding her gaze, a

back! Flynn has returned, and he's

at his

from the

even more handsome in

jealousy from beside her, Vivienne pulled her gaze