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.”

give me Boar Poison. She said she’d hand it over

her molars in

had thought this might be the moment to seize Boar Poison, but Fiona had hidden it

goods for GTO had always

suspecting she had an organization backing her, one with the capability to acquire

Poison, especially since Karen’s

Boar Poison had resurfaced, GTO was determined to

on the floor, Mr.

Calista hesitated before placing her hand in

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

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

value your medical expertise. If you can’t produce the Boar

a chill run through her. She was playing with

I’ll develop it, I’ll definitely

a

You’ll be taken to your new

hands disdainfully, Mr. B turned

foul liquid, shedding tears of regret. Her remorse was beyond words. If only she had known Vivienne was Specter Healer, she never would have crossed her. Now,

…

At TCL Labs.

brought

Holden approached, “The director’s not here, and we’re

nodded, “Carry on with your

no more, casting a sidelong glance at the hat-wearing

dare to look twice

better, Holden averted

door, which now sported a

nowhere, he slid it through the reader and with a beep,

Wolf, you’re full

card, “It’s a necessary

the so-called essential skills at Vanguard