The Million-Dollar Heart

Gillian slouched pathetically between two chairs, her eyes pleading for sympathy.

Vance and Micah stood behind her, shaking their heads in silence before circling around to face her.

"Gillian, the surveillance caught what you did. You've been flagged as the prime suspect, and when the higher-ups get here, you'll have to explain yourself."

Gillian clutched her face in feigned innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about! Besides, I can't even see this supposed surveillance you're mentioning. How can I be sure you're not just framing me? And I'll have you know, I'm pressing charges against Vivienne for this mess. She won't get away with what she did to me!"

Vivienne snorted with laughter and pulled a packet from her bag, tossing a facial mask onto Gillian's face.

The moment it touched her skin, Gillian let out a squeal like a pig being slaughtered. Miraculously, her face returned to normal, not a single mark to be seen.

Then, Vivienne shoved the footage in front of her. "This is you, right?"

Gillian nodded. "Yes, that's me, but I was just checking the screens at the command console. It's my job to keep records. Is that a crime now?"

With a swift motion, Vivienne slapped Gillian across the face.

It wasn't just for the sake of it-her palm was itching for justice!

The slap left Gillian's cheek swelling even more than before, ballooning up instantly.

"That's your problem to explain!" Vivienne said with disdain, handing over the tablet to Micah. "I'll be waiting for the outcome."

With that, Vivienne turned on her heel and walked away.

Gillian scrambled toward the door, only to be tripped up by Micah's cane, which "accidentally" landed on her already fractured ankle. "Ah!" she cried out, pain knocking her out cold.

a hospital ward-the genuine patient this time, with doctors who wouldn't dream of turning her away. After

really don't remember what happened. I hit my head on some

a slobbering mess, insisting on

wet behind the ears. It's normal to make a mistake now and then. My daughter is younger than you and always messing up. I get it." Her hope restored by Vance's words, Gillian's lips curled into a smile. "So,

believe you, Gillian. You're a gem at the Vanguard Agency. If I can't trust

tears, Gillian beamed. "I knew you'd believe

she added an extra swoon

From now on, Sophia will handle

Was Vance stripping her of her authority? Headquarters sent

"Director, I..."

with

firm, his

Gillian, her days of pulling strings at the Rivenwood Vanguard

Vance left, the shock

high price to infiltrate Rivenwood Vanguard Agency, and now Vance dismissed her with just a

sooner had Vance exited than the Sea City main office's investigation

of the situation, she would be detained for a while. What

dealer could infiltrate

of unresolved anger. If Gillian dared to return to Rivenwood Vanguard Agency, Vivienne would ensure it was a one-way trip.

with Gillian taken in for questioning, there was still one more player to deal with the man at the heart of it all,

targeted bionic biotech, a market F-Poison had dipped into before with their synthetic robots.

Touch me, and you'll regret it, I swear! You'd better release me now, or I'll raze this place

was shackled in a dim basement, his hollow threats echoing