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.

Leopold by Vivienne's side, she wasn't

the hallway, Sasha held the medallion, her expression tense. "This was the first honor Amaya won at

raised an eyebrow, "Is

an item had been part of their lives for

began to doubt, "Is that

room, Anna returned to Daphne's bedside, making sure she was comfortable, then sat down, clearly not planning

are minor. You shouldn't neglect

of the question, Mom. I wouldn't

let history repeat itself.

spoken to Vivienne. I won't be going to the

had given up on the lab

peeled it. "Being with Vivienne doesn't mean I'm abandoning the lab. I'll be there whenever Vivienne needs me, but I'll return to the lab when I'm free. After all, that's where I continue to learn." Handing a sliced piece to Daphne, Anna continued, "Ever since I was young, I

bite of the apple, then casually mentioned, "I heard Vivienne mentioning

peeling the apple but remembered the

placed back on the table as she softly explained,

you underestimating your mother? After all, you've learned everything from me. How

to clarify, "Mom, it's not that I don't want to tell you. It's just that even I'm not sure what

her gaze fixed on Anna, eager for

might be related to the people who tried to assassinate us yesterday. But when the

narrowed her eyes,

QUMS

if

rumors on my journey to find you, suggesting Vivienne possesses something incredibly valuable. Apparently there's

whoever can find it."

of the rumors but doubted anyone could pose a real threat to Vivienne, given her unique