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.”

ask further, “I… I don’t know. Fiona didn’t give me Boar Poison. She said she’d hand it over at the critical

B ground her molars

this might be the moment to seize Boar Poison, but Fiona

past transactions involving vital goods for GTO had

assumed Fiona was working alone, never suspecting she had an organization backing her, one with the capability to

unable to replicate Boar Poison, especially since Karen’s research had been largely

had resurfaced,

Calista on the floor, Mr. B reached out

placing her hand in Mr.

her arm might rip from its socket. The next instant, Mr. B had her by the neck, “Calista, do

ran through Calista. The gentle face before

throat, “I value your medical expertise. If you can’t produce the Boar Poison within

She was playing with fire, one false step

develop it,

wafted up from below, and with a few dripping sounds,

be taken to your new lab, remember, you only

her hands disdainfully, Mr.

If only she

…

At TCL Labs.

had brought

assistant Holden approached, “The director’s not here,

nodded, “Carry on with your

the

dare

Holden averted

Calista’s office door, which

slid it through the reader and with a beep,

you’re full of

a necessary skill when you’re out

about the so-called essential skills at Vanguard Agency,