The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne glared at the scene for a solid thirty minutes before she finally averted her gaze.

At that moment, Calista had just danced with the reaper, her toes still dangling over the edge of the abyss.

"Easy there, I just tossed away her eyeball yesterday," Vivienne remarked dryly, casting a sidelong glance at Brody.

Brody nodded in understanding. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

As they spoke, the poison coursing through Calista's veins was neutralized.

Vivienne did not linger. She motioned for Anna to follow, and they left the lab.

The moment she shut the door, Brody's voice boomed from inside, "Vivienne, you're a real asshole!"

Anna peered through the glass and saw Brody awkwardly propped up on hands and feet, his head stretched upward, resembling a turtle stuck on its back.

"Ms. Vivienne, you sure take revenge promptly," Anna said with a quiet chuckle, giving Vivienne the thumbs up.

Vivienne flicked her hair dismissively. She was not about to take Brody's scolding for nothing.

"Let's go," she said, looping an arm around Anna's neck as they exited the lab.

Just as they approached the car, both women tensed and swiftly rolled away to either side.

Two tranquilizer darts thudded into the seat where they had just stood.

Vivienne stood by the car's rear, her face a storm as she eyed the direction from which the darts had come.

Anna, positioned at the front, looked in the opposite direction with equal vigilance.

Suddenly, operatives wearing the uniforms of the Vanguard Agency special squad emerged from all around, led by none other than Soren.

Clad in tactical gear and goggles, Soren's surprise was evident even through his battle-hardened facade. "It's you?"

Vivienne's expression remained calm and unreadable.

Soren's face that he had

Interesting.

that swore to protect the nation and its

before addressing Anna, "Anna,

were after Vivienne. But she was

a Vanguard operative, duty-bound

shot him a frosty glare. "Rejoin my

silent message to Anna, "You've been hanging

just a few days, the once-sweet girl

to fall back into

stepped behind Vivienne, "My orders from Commander Percival are clear: protect Vivienne at all costs, no

his display, then aimed his weapon at Vivienne, "Vivienne Hawthorn, You're under arrest. Lay down your arms and surrender." Vivienne tilted her head slightly, "And the

pursed his lips. "Evidence suggests you're the mastermind behind

nearly laughed out

the Vanguard agents. He limped, leaning

approaching figure. She had never met him in person, but his

mother's old partner,

about 700 feet before her and smiled, "You look

a hollow smile,

point. Let's talk about the

a written

also known as Fiona, CK's second in command. Three days ago, she confessed to earn more time outside prison, implicating you in every crime she committed on your orders, and the illicit funds

"Is

Boar Poison to Fiona and the transaction records to the

nodded again.

to Soren, then addressed Vivienne, "Next, we'll be seizing this lab, the film studio down at Eastlake Bay, all properties in your name, and we'll

are you planning

flickered, but he

as

neck, scanning the circle of agents. "Just so you know, you probably can't take us

of your pharmaceutical skills. Your life-saving pills were distributed to everyone here by Percival. We should be resistant to

bind because of my own Life-saving pill. But since you've partaken, remember to pay up. Five million a pop, but for Mr.