The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Astrid fidgeted nervously beside Vivienne, apparently still wracked with guilt over the previous day’s events.

Vivienne, unfazed, glanced at Astrid with eyes as soft as a strawberry cheesecake and stood up.

Astrid halted her with a call, “Vivienne.”

Vivienne’s lips curved into a smile, her bright eyes flashing with disinterest. “What is it?”

Astrid rose and approached her, lifting her shirt.

On her slender waist was a hideous black scar.

A knife wound, poisoned.

Astrid clenched her fist. “I got this on a mission when I fell into the enemy’s trap. Now, I still suffer from the pain, especially when it rains, my whole body aches.

Vivienne, I’m not trying to gain your sympathy. I just want to tell you that we’ve sacrificed our lives to ensure that our organization can develop a defense against the biochemical weapons of rival nations.

So, on behalf of the organization and our country, I’m inviting you to join our fight!”

Vivienne’s gaze fell on the scar on Astrid’s waist.

It was clearly real.

She grasped Astrid’s wrist and felt for her pulse.

The poison had been lurking in her body for years; she, indeed, had suffered greatly.

Vivienne casually took out a life-saving pill and popped it into Astrid’s mouth. “This poison isn’t hard to cure. Just come to me once a day.”

After a pause, she added, “I’m quite interested in what you’ve said. I’ll give it a try.”

Astrid froze, surprised. “You mean you agree?”

Vivienne nodded slightly. “Yeah, but I’m out if your experiments don’t meet my standards.”

“Great. You’ll find our experiments fascinating,” Astrid said with a smile. “I’ll notify the organization and see when they can take you to the lab.”

With that, Astrid went into her room.

Looking at her door, Vivienne let a sly smile creep onto her face.

phone and texted Percival,

[Came up empty. You?]

[Hook, line, and sinker.]

Vivienne’s cunning expression from those

…

the Ellington family’s

The doctor said you can’t get out of bed yet,” Heloise said, her heart aching for

beyond their imagination. A mere

not for the timely hospital visit, he might have lost his

couch. “I’m

he was in agony. It

waved her off impatiently. “Never mind me. What about Fiona? Why was

doing. Percival isn’t any better. No matter what, Fiona was good to him. How could

of letting Fiona hog the spotlight. Now look what’s happened.

to Fiona’s room, “Fiona, what are you doing hiding all day? Think you can get back into the company

family’s second branch, with

had lost a significant source of

and Jeffrey’s complaints below.

pressing concern. It

art galleries; she also needed the Ellington Group’s resources and connections, even using

was her

to deliver

on her

in our hands, being moved

close eye. I’ll find a way to get

rubbed her fingertips, her usually cool face fading to

an unfamiliar

she

replied,

Fiona paused.

Calista?

were not close, but Fiona had

of traditional medicine, the cheap daughter of the former

had also become

can I do for you?” Fiona asked, her voice smooth,

cheerful voice came through. “Got time

“Sure, see you soon.”

…