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

"This was the first honor Amaya won at the Vanguard Agency,

an eyebrow, "Is it

nodded. Such an item had been part of their

Sasha began to doubt, "Is that

Anna returned to Daphne's bedside, making sure she was comfortable,

my injuries are minor. You shouldn't neglect

of the question, Mom. I wouldn't trust anyone

let history repeat itself. She was determined to ensure her mother's

I won't be going to the

"I thought you had given up on the lab these past few days

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

of the apple, then casually mentioned, "I heard Vivienne mentioning something new at the lab. What is

peeling the apple but remembered the

placed back on the table as

are you underestimating your mother?

it's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just that even I'm

gaze fixed on Anna, eager

the people who tried to assassinate us yesterday. But when the box was

narrowed her eyes,

QUMS

if

my journey to find you, suggesting Vivienne possesses something incredibly valuable. Apparently there's a billion-dollar bounty

whoever can find it."

doubted anyone could pose a real threat to Vivienne,