The Million-Dollar Heart

Daphne's eyes flashed with a hint of agony. "Those people were hell-bent on hunting me down. For Anna's safety, I had no choice but to take a death-faking pill to fool them."

Sasha pursed her lips and sighed, "Where have you been all these years? Why didn't you contact us? Even the Vanguard Agency couldn't track you down."

"We all thought you were... gone," Sasha exhaled, struggling to accept the news back then.

Daphne candidly replied, "My memory has been in and out over the years. Sometimes I remember clearly, other times I forget everything. But I've never stopped trying to find news about you and the team. If only I had known how... profound the effects of that drug would be."

"Ouch!" Daphne clutched her head in pain before burying her face in the pillow, a look of agony on her face.

"Mom, is it the headache again?"

"Stop thinking about it."

Sasha, witnessing Daphne's sudden pain, couldn't tell if it was real or an act.

Anna explained, "Karen, this is the aftereffect of the death-faking pill my mom took years ago. Recalling the past triggers her headaches, leaving her unable to think of anything..."

As they parted, Daphne handed Sasha a medallion, insisting she take it.

Sasha examined the tarnished object before pocketing it with a nod.

Anna requested time off from Vivienne, "Vivienne, I won't be able to stick by you these next few days. The lab, too."

Understanding her friend's predicament, Vivienne reassured her with a pat on the shoulder, "Don't worry. The artifacts from the Wright family have been delivered to the lab. With Brody there, everything will be fine." Anna felt slightly relieved and nodded.

Percival and Leopold by Vivienne's side, she wasn't overly

medallion, her expression tense. "This was the first honor Amaya won at the Vanguard Agency, a symbol of her

raised an eyebrow, "Is

had been part of their lives for too long to be

to doubt,

in the room, Anna returned to Daphne's bedside, making sure she was comfortable, then sat down,

resting in bed, tried to persuade her, "Sweetie, my injuries are minor. You shouldn't neglect your work on my account. The nurses are

wouldn't trust anyone else to

made up her mind; she wouldn't let history repeat

spoken to Vivienne. I won't be going

wryly, "I thought you had given up

needs me, but I'll return to the lab when I'm free. After all, that's where I continue to

a bite of the apple, then casually mentioned, "I heard Vivienne mentioning something new at

remembered the doctor's

as she softly explained, "It's

offense, "Is it that I wouldn't understand, or are you underestimating your mother? After all, you've learned everything from me. How do

don't want to tell you. It's just

her gaze

us yesterday. But when the box

her eyes,

QUMS

if remembering

journey to find you, suggesting Vivienne possesses something

whoever can find it."

the rumors but doubted anyone could pose