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.

the birds

the bandages revealed as

into her sleeve without

room, "Why is it so quiet? Didn't Zinnia claim she visits daily? It's past lunch, and no one's brought her

some activity, be it a nurse or a family member. This area felt like a forgotten corner of the world, devoid of life. If not for

and Percival noticed

times a day,

off," Percival

open the

and Thomas followed closely as Cassidy

trio then saw the

surprise or panic at the sight of strangers. Desolate as if nothing in the world could stir any emotion on

was certain; this girl

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

and Cassidy didn't deny it. Her barely perceptible nod was

her thoughts, pulling up a chair to sit, "We're here about the situation online.

if one looked closely, they could see guilt and unease. "I..." Cassidy's voice was hoarse and unpleasant, "I know. He didn't harass me. I... I'm

prepared for

Cassidy to be so forthcoming. Her

she shifted her

hospital gown.

an S-sized gown hung loose on her, revealing layers of bandages

darkened with thought, but she finally voiced her question, "If you weren't harassed, then what

think I'm faking it?" Cassidy froze. After a few moments of bewilderment, she expressed her disbelief, "Why? That woman, she thought I was pretending. Why do you believe me?"

although it was true, wasn't that a bit too

since Vivienne boldly declared herself a genius in front