The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne was testing whether the chip could integrate with the human body through ionic fusion, eventually solidifying within and migrating with the flow of blood.

She had been wracking her brain for a suitable test subject, even considering the drastic measure of extracting Fiona from a high-security federal penitentiary.

But then Mara walked right into her lap, a perfect volunteer. When Mara had begged Vivienne for treatment, she agreed to any terms set forth. Even the prospect of being a human guinea pig did not deter her. So Vivienne wasn't about to pull her punches. If she did not conduct this experiment on, the powers behind Mara would not hesitate to find another way to make it happen. Better to be the one in control, she figured.

"Keep your face dry for the rest of the day," Vivienne instructed as she gathered her belongings, ready to leave. "I'll check back in a week."

Mara caught her arm. "Wait, what exactly are you experimenting with? Can you tell me?"

Vivienne considered for a moment. "It's a biotechnological study on quantum entanglement and GPS phenomena analysis. Does that make sense to you?"

Mara blinked, completely lost. Her school days were spent just sliding by, barely scraping into Elite University. This scientific jargon was like a foreign language. "Forget it. It's over my head," Mara sighed, figuring she would just relay Vivienne's words to Gillian so she would stop asking her about it every day.

Vivienne left with a small smile.

Downstairs, Aaron greeted Vivienne with concern.

"Is everything wrapped up?" he asked.

Vivienne nodded briskly, pausing to offer a piece of advice. "Aaron, know what you should and shouldn't meddle with."

Aaron looked taken aback. "I can explain..."

him off, turning to leave. She had another chip prototype to perfect and no time for Aaron's love life dramas. She didn't mind as long as Mara did not beg to be killed, and she

the leader of the Miller

at a loss. He had never seen her so

couch, Aaron was overwhelmed with

playing on her lips as she

him a Coke - Vivienne's favorite, if

darkened further, slapping Mara's hand away. "Why did you deliberately

surprise, Mara said, "Aaron, Vivienne is

Mara, playing the understanding big sister, reassured him. "It's perfectly normal to like her. She's like a

back on the sofa and continued, "Liking

"But Vivienne is..."

you and Vivienne

eyes sparkled as

each other for years. You knew her and liked her before Percival. The

won Vivienne's heart before him, although he knew and liked her longer than Percival did. Plus, Percival

but no one ever took his side or

doesn't realize it. Plus, Percival has her so wrapped around his fingers that she has lost sight of her true feelings. You don't know this,

could not