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

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

gently

popped out. They were lab

back into their hole, only to return shortly with a small glass vial filled with a green

you train these rats? Vivienne asked as Anna picked up the vial and rewarded the

convenience store earlier, along with the cigarettes for the old

hungry, not realizing it

descendants of the lab rats used here before.” Anna replied while shaking her head

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

bere

hide something so important in a

you go” Anna handed

it without a

get going” Percival suggested

squeaking around her feet, and followed Vivienne

the old man was gone

out to the empty

a response from a hidden

away, he asked

was still in a slightly dazed state For years, she had

members

now‘ Percival pointed out calmly “You have two choices. You can come with me and work

Anna stayed silent

need go to university But dont do anything reckless again. vi might not always be there

understand” Anna

the city, the sunlight was

glanced at the time It was 6:15 am so peak morning traffic was about to begin

go to my place ‘Percival suggested to Vivienne My

sent a text to Draven, asking him to bring the gifts the