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.”

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

ground her molars in

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

goods for GTO

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

years, GTO had been unable to replicate Boar Poison, especially since Karen’s

Boar Poison had resurfaced,

the floor, Mr. B reached

hesitated before placing

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

face before her inspired a deep-seated terror,

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

was

I’ll develop it, I’ll definitely

smell wafted up from below, and with a few dripping sounds, Mr.

taken

disdainfully, Mr.

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

…

At TCL Labs.

had brought Vivienne

director’s not here, and we’re not allowed in his

on with your

said no more, casting a sidelong glance at the hat-wearing woman behind Percival,

woman! But who would dare to look twice

Holden averted

to Calista’s office door, which now

he slid it through the reader

Wolf, you’re full of

“It’s a necessary skill when you’re

so-called essential skills at Vanguard