The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 234

“What?” The old man grumbled as he took the pack of cigarettes Anna tossed to him, skillfully slipping it into his jeans pocket. “People are always rummaging around here, as if there’s something worth finding among all this junk. It’s truly preposterous”

“Has anyone else been here recently?” Anna asked, her face showing signs of concern.

“Yeah. Some weirdos in black suits were here a few days ago and were tossing things around i asked them who they were and got nothing but bad attitude in return” The old man retorted, clearly irked by the disrespect he was given by those men.

“You’re okay, right?” Anna asked, her anxiety mounting.

“I’m fine. I threatened to call the cops, and they ran off The old man puffed out his chest with pride

Anna let out a sigh of relief. She and her friends, Percival and Vivienne, exchanged looks.

“Let’s get what we came for Anna led the way to the basement

Percival and Vivienne followed As Vivienne looked back, she locked eyes with the old man, who snorted before walking away with his head held high

making Vivienne frown.

Inside the basement.

This used to be Karen’s main lab. Upon entering. Vivienne noticed an abandoned 3D bio–printer.

She blinked in surprise, while Percival looked around the lab as a softness crept onto his normally stern face.

When he first visited this lab, he was just a child. At that time, he was completely awestruck by the wonders inside.

Later, when he understood that many of the beneficial medical advancements in the world came from here, he felt a swell of pride for his mentor

Unfortunately, the visionary behind all this was no longer with them

thoughts, headed straight to a hole in the corner. It was the entrance to a

down and gently tapped on the entrance.

popped out. They were lab rats.

squeaked and retreated back into their hole, only to return shortly with a small

rats? Vivienne asked as Anna picked up the vial

a 24–hour convenience store earlier,

realizing it was for the

lab rats used

came here, they were bold enough to ask for food I found them to be quite intelligent

bere

she’d hide something so important in a

you go” Anna handed the potion

accepted it without a

going” Percival suggested

around her feet, and followed Vivienne

emerged, the old

called out to the

a response from a hidden

away, he asked Anna, “What are your plans?”

a slightly dazed state For years, she had been running and heding,

members

exposed now‘ Percival pointed out calmly “You have two choices. You can come with me and work for me, or you can go

Anna stayed silent

need go to university

Anna replied

they reached the city, the sunlight was

6:15 am so peak morning traffic was about

to Vivienne My grandfather wants to

to Draven, asking him to bring the gifts the had prepared for the Ellington