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 the

"That's my girl. It's a shame, really. Raising her to be wiped

Mr. B - Belle was

explain the sudden change

F, what would you have me

life hung by a thread, useful only for her

patted her head. "Good girl. I do have a

you ask of me!" Calista agreed instantly, her survival instinct trumping

"Then brace yourself."

face. As Calista fell, her consciousness fading.

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.

rarely complete, and tonight was an exception. With Fiona in her wheelchair, brought by Heloise, and even the elusive Kenneth present, there was a sense of occasion. Percival and Vivienne were the last to

him as naturally as if she had always

years of marriage into the family, she had never dared to claim such intimacy with Richard. Yet here was

prospect of seeing his youngest son after so long. Vivienne caught Kenneth avoiding her gaze, a trace of guilt in his eyes. She paid it no mind and continued to chat

"He's back, he's back! Flynn has returned,

his side

young man and woman stepped from

even more handsome in

beside her, Vivienne pulled her