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.”

further, “I… I don’t know. Fiona didn’t give me Boar Poison. She said she’d hand

ground her molars in

this might be the moment to

vital goods for GTO

was working alone, never suspecting she had an organization backing her, one with

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

Poison had resurfaced, GTO was

at Calista on the floor, Mr. B

before placing her hand in

though her arm might rip from its socket. The next instant, Mr. B had her by the neck, “Calista, do you know why I’ve spared

ran through Calista. The gentle face before her

your medical expertise. If you

was playing

it, I’ll definitely

below, and with a few dripping sounds, Mr. B disgustedly

you. You’ll be taken to your new lab, remember,

her hands disdainfully, Mr.

If only she had known Vivienne was Specter Healer, she never would have crossed her. Now, she

…

At TCL Labs.

had brought

not here, and we’re not allowed in

on

sidelong glance at the hat-wearing woman behind Percival, his heart skipping a

who would dare to look

better, Holden averted his

to Calista’s office door, which now sported a new

card from nowhere, he slid it through the reader and

Wolf, you’re full

“It’s a necessary skill when you’re out

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