The Million-Dollar Heart

Jerry weighed the possibility, a hint of gloom in his voice, "If that's the case, we're in for some trouble. Let's not even mention that the harassment case is several years old now. But at present, they're insisting that the girl committed suicide because of severe depression, and encountering Julian just pushed him over the edge. We have no way to verify that."

"Who says we can't?" Vivienne, acting on the information Matthew had dug up earlier, stepped into the elevator, "Just wait for my news. I'll fill you in later."

The moment the elevator doors closed with a ding, she promptly ended the call.

Percival watched the floor numbers rise with a hint of concern in his eyes, "Vivienne, are you really sure that woman's daughter will help us?"

Vivienne: "I'm not sure."

Such honesty, and they were at a loss for words.

Sensing the chill in Vivienne's gaze, Percival cleared his throat, "So, are we here today just to fish for information?"

"Exactly."

The elevator dinged upon reaching the fifteenth floor.

Vivienne waited for the doors to fully open before stepping out.

Walking along the corridor towards the most secluded corner, they approached the VIP hospital room with the poorest lighting.

Through the glass door, they could see a girl in a hospital gown sitting on the pristine white bed, barely in her early twenties. Her face was devoid of color, skin stretched over bones as if she was merely a skeleton with a layer of flesh.

She didn't seem to care about her cracked, bleeding lips, her gaze lifelessly fixed outside the window.

Several birds perched on the glass, hopping around cheerfully and unafraid of humans.

reached out, the birds fluttered away

noticed the bandages revealed as the girl stretched her

from her wrist into her sleeve without a visible

slightly, scanning the room, "Why is it so quiet? Didn't Zinnia claim she visits

nurse or a family member. This area felt like a forgotten corner of the world, devoid of life. If not for the girl inside,

Percival

to post pictures of Cassidy's room on her account three times a day, like clockwork. Yet now, well past lunchtime, she

Percival coldly

open the

as Cassidy turned

then saw the bandage wrapped

at the sight of strangers. Desolate as if nothing in the world could stir any

Vivienne was certain; this girl was

gently pulling Percival to stop at a distance that would feel safe to Cassidy, "You must

was firm, and Cassidy didn't deny it. Her barely perceptible nod was like a dead tree's last sway,

Vivienne could sense her thoughts, pulling up a chair to sit, "We're here about the situation online. Your mother, accusing Julian of harassment, you

trembled, a pained expression crossing her face, and if one looked closely, they could see guilt and unease. "I..." Cassidy's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, "I

was prepared for

expect Cassidy to be so forthcoming. Her

she shifted

hospital

S-sized gown hung loose on her, revealing layers of bandages beneath with any

her question, "If

expressed her disbelief, "Why? That

although it was true, wasn't that

remained silent; ever since Vivienne boldly declared herself a genius in front of Samantha, he was no