The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In a clandestine surveillance room somewhere.

Calista’s wrists were bound by handcuffs, surrounded by stark white walls that seamlessly blended with the door. A shiver ran down her spine, and fear pounded in her heart.

She had been knocked unconscious by Percival and when she came to, she found herself trapped in this sterile cell, too terrified to resist.

Had her research on the viruses been discovered? Would that mean the death penalty?

No, it couldn’t be!

Lost in thought, Calista was jolted back to reality by the sound of the door unlocking. Her eyes widened in alarm as she watched the door intently.

Soon after, a figure in a black trench coat entered the room. It was Mr. B, who tossed a key toward her without a word.

It was the key to her cuffs.

“Mr. B, what’s going on? Where am I? Do I still have to return to the lab?”

Before she could get her bearings, Calista was met with a slap that sent her tumbling to the floor.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as the blow nearly knocked her out.

“Fool, who gave you permission to collaborate with Fiona behind our backs?” Mr. B’s voice was harsh and undisguised. There was no need for pretense anymore; Calista’s identity had been exposed, and from now on, she could only operate under strict surveillance.

Calista was stunned. Mr. B was a woman?

Mr. B removed her hat, revealing Astrid’s familiar face, the disguise still in place, “Tell me, where is Boar Poison?”

Calista, regaining her senses, was shocked to see Mr. B’s true appearance.

“You’re Vivienne’s sister!”

Mr. B merely rolled her eyes, “Answer my question.”

don’t know. Fiona didn’t give me Boar Poison. She said she’d hand it over at the critical moment for me to use

ground her molars in

the moment to

involving vital goods for GTO had always depended on Fiona’s

had assumed Fiona was working alone, never suspecting she had an organization backing

been unable to replicate Boar Poison, especially since Karen’s research had been largely destroyed and couldn’t

had resurfaced, GTO

floor, Mr. B reached

placing her

Calista felt as though her arm might rip from its socket. The next instant, Mr. B had her by

through Calista. The gentle face before her inspired a deep-seated

value your medical expertise. If you can’t produce the Boar Poison within a month, your life becomes

felt a chill run through her. She was playing with fire, one false step

I’ll develop it, I’ll definitely get it

below, and with a few dripping sounds,

You’ll be taken to your new lab,

wiping her hands disdainfully, Mr. B

she had known Vivienne was Specter

…

At TCL Labs.

had brought

Percy,” lab assistant Holden approached, “The director’s not here, and we’re

on

at the hat-wearing woman behind Percival, his

dare to look twice

Holden averted

to Calista’s office door, which now sported

out a magnetic card from nowhere, he slid it through

Wolf, you’re full

necessary skill

mused about the so-called essential skills at Vanguard Agency, which