The Million-Dollar Heart

Fitness Fun in the Park

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"Sir, would you mind sharing the story with us in more detail?" Vivienne inquired.

The old man nodded, "Of course. That year left a deep impression on us. Elliot was the beacon of hope for our entire family. Even our distant relatives had high hopes for him. After all, for a low-income family like ours, having a kid in high school was already a big deal.

Elliot's grades, though, were average at best. He was not exactly a standout student and didn't have many friends. He was a bit of a loner.

But ever since the kidnapping, it was as if he had become a different person. He was much more outgoing. Even got scolded by me for dating a girl from school. Truth be told, I thought the boy who came back was a lot better off. A young man shouldn't be so withdrawn."

Vivienne exchanged a glance with Percival.

Most people would be crushed by such traumatic memories and not emerge more cheerful and sociable.

How could this Elliot have possibly transformed so positively?

The father continued, "Elliot didn't let us down, though. He got into Elite University, and after graduating, he went abroad for further studies."

At the mention of going abroad, the silent mother let out a stifled sob, tears streaming down her face.

Vivienne silently passed her a tissue, "Did something happen?"

The man sighed, his expression growing somber. "We were originally against the idea of him going abroad, but Elliot was determined. He worked his way through, not needing a dime from us. Reluctantly, his mother and I agreed. But once he left, he never returned."

"If I had known I'd never see my boy again, I would have never

happened to Elliot

man wiped away tears. "Elliot did well in school and work, consistently earning scholarships. But he rarely contacted us; communication was difficult back then, and we couldn't go

job at the university, we knew he wouldn't come back. We thought about moving abroad to be with him since he was settled. But then... there was a shooting at his school. Many students and teachers died,

her hands. "My poor son... I didn't even get to

only offer her

she did not realize that her son had died the day he was

raised was the

asked, "Would it be too much to ask to see some photos of Elliot? Especially

in total, but they're all here," the father said as he handed over the photo album to

a picture of a simple life, mostly

study abroad?"

otherwise," the father replied. Percival's hands paused as he turned the pages, a complex look in his eyes. Noticing the change, Vivienne

in the corner of one of Elliot's photos, was

truth of the matter was becoming

used the art of disguise to hide in Elliot's home, taking his place and living on before using his time abroad to continue his sinister deeds. During his studies, he had met Flynn and passed on

closed the album and said, "Thank you. We've got what we need. Someone will be

a long time. Thank you for remembering our son," the father said, bowing to Vivienne and Percival, his eyes glistening with tears. Percival and Vivienne offered a

of the photos were quickly delivered

at Flynn's face on the

"Do you want me to

he wouldn't say anything. We'd be

then. It's hard to believe he could pass for a high school student, let alone blend in and eventually study abroad." Vivienne had a hunch that the secrets F-Poison carried were tied to the

phone rang; it was Karen. "Come to

Quincy!