The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne had barely finished her tale when Percival, ever the considerate one, handed her an insulated travel mug. "Here, Vivienne, take a sip of water before you go on." He had never heard Vivienne talk so much at once; he didn't want her to wear herself out.

Gratefully, Vivienne accepted the mug, flashed him a quick smile, and took a drink before turning her gaze back to Samantha.

This time, she didn't continue. She simply waited for Samantha to speak.

Inside, Samantha felt as though her world had been turned upside down.

She thought that even if Vivienne had found her way here today, there was no way she could have known their true purpose. But, it turned out, Vivienne knew everything. Damn it!

How could she possibly have found out? This was a secret kept between her and Francis. No one else should have known.

Samantha remained silent for several minutes before finally speaking, "I just want to know how you figured it out."

She couldn't fathom it, couldn't accept it. She had lived her life as a mastermind, and now she was being outplayed by a little girl.

Even at ninety, Samantha was a genius, her learning ability astoundingly powerful. She had easily adapted to the high-tech era they were living in, swiftly integrating into modern life. She had always believed that with her mind, outwitting a young woman in her twenties would be a piece of cake.

Vivienne laughed, a radiant, almost blinding smile. "I guessed!"

She had truly guessed.

After the incident with the androids, she had pondered one thing: it had initially been her chasing F-Poison, but then she realized it was them chasing her. The enemy was in plain sight, yet she couldn't quite catch them.

So, the night before they found Ronald, she sequestered herself for an all-nighter. The whole night, she didn't sleep, connecting all the dots in her mind, replaying every event. Percival had done the same that night.

Waking up the next day, he was already waiting at her door. They exchanged a knowing smile, and everything became clear.

The only things they couldn't guess or uncover were the identity of the man secretly involved with Samantha and the mysterious, red-dressed woman who had appeared recently. Samantha nearly choked on her own fury, clutching at her chest as she protested, "I don't believe you!"

How could someone guess their way to this much information?

believe it. Not

a genius. You don't have to believe it, but that doesn't change

and Leopold exchanged

it really the time

Are you sure

Leopold jolted: No,

the last straw for Samantha; she literally

to Percival, her tone laced with a hint of helplessness. "How did she manage RST for so many years with such a low tolerance? They've been playing me for so long,

on, we can step on them as we please, grind them into the

the spirit!" Vivienne

looked back at Samantha. "Anything else you want to ask? I'm all ears. Before you bite

did you find this place?" Samantha asked, her voice resigned. She couldn't understand

took was a computer. Didn't you know I'm a master

want to know how you found this place. I used high-tech security and some old-school tricks to set up barriers. Ordinary people shouldn't have been

Vivienne

The room fell silent.

scream, but

the clock on the wall, half an hour had

wouldn't come. Maybe there was no time

act, and soon.

the table, there would be no mercy. Samantha needed to

plotted her escape, Vivienne spoke again. "A few days ago, in M State, we encountered a woman in red. She was highly skilled, seemed to know some ancient warrior lineage techniques,

Samantha's expression tightened.

was her. She had shown up, too. What

her emotions again. "I have no idea

to reply when Samantha suddenly lunged forward, aiming to throw something. However, before she could release it, her wrist

pried her hand open and handed the object she had been holding to Vivienne. It was a few grain-like items, and

turned to Percival