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

hole in the corner. It was the entrance to

bent down and gently tapped

heads popped out. They were

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

the vial and rewarded the

bought the cookies and candy from a 24–hour convenience store earlier,

was hungry, not realizing it was for

the lab rats used here

they were bold enough to ask for food I found them to be quite intelligent and unafraid of me, so I decided to hide the drug

bere

hide something so important

handed the potion

without a word

going” Percival

her feet, and followed Vivienne and

the old man was

called out to the empty

came a response from a

he asked Anna, “What are your

dazed state For years, she had been running and

members

with me and

Anna stayed silent

go to university But dont

understand” Anna

city, the sunlight was beginning to peak through the

glanced at the time It was 6:15 am so peak

‘Percival suggested to Vivienne My grandfather wants to meet you”

to bring the gifts the had prepared for the Ellington family