The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne chuckled softly, “Just a small issue. Drink more water, and cut down on soft drinks. The toxins might be flushed out, but don’t overlook the aftereffects. Keep hydrating to wash away any remnants.”

“Thanks, Vivienne,” Astrid replied, pouring Vivienne a glass of water. “I’ll be heading back to work at the office in a few days. I’m going to need you to keep an eye on things at home. It’s been…”

“No need for a speech,” Vivienne interjected as Astrid started to get sentimental.

Astrid grinned. “What can I do? You’re just too lovable. Even chatting with you feels like a breath of fresh air.”

Sometimes, she wondered if she had saved the galaxy in a past life since this lifetime had blessed her with such a wonderful sister.

She could not be there to care for her parents or look after her little brother Thaddeus properly. Without Vivienne, she was at a loss.

And this time, if not for Vivienne, she might have… Well, she might not have made it at all.

As an agent for the National Security Bureau, she was acutely aware of the grim fate awaited someone like her if captured by enemy spies.

If not for Mr. B needing her DNA to conceal her identity and Alfred wanting to wring state secrets from her, she would have been silenced long ago.

Their last attempt to transfer her was meant to be the end of her. Her hair and eyes were more than sufficient to get her DNA.

If Vivienne had not found her in time, she would have faced not just death but the horror of being left unrecognizable.

Vivienne tapped her wrist lightly. “If you feel awkward about it, how about we pull some strings? What do you say?”

Astrid paused for a moment. “Pull some strings?”

“Yeah,” said Vivienne, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

“What are you up to, Vivienne?” Astrid asked, puzzled.

Vivienne pulled out a document from her bag, an idea she had had since leaving the TIC Research Institute.

She had yet to find the right opportunity to implement it.

But with Astrid’s connections, they could surely find the perfect place.

over the document and declared, “I’ll report

Vivienne could respond, Astrid was already on the phone

not help but laugh somewhat

got his slow nature—it

definitely took

says your idea is solid. The country will definitely back it up. We’ll provide the location for free, but all

“Agreed,” Nodded Vivienne.

the nation; she had

away her belongings and said,

waiting outside and escorted her to the

a particularly good mood, a smile playing on his

the back and presented Vivienne with a box of strawberry

Vivienne’s eyes lit up

won’t just take your cake for nothing. I’ll trade you this,” she said, handing over the item she

“Only you know me

TCL lab, and Vivienne had already found

lab with the

is the lab secured through Astrid’s superiors. The nation will oversee the results directly, but the credit will still go to the lab. The specifics are in the contract—take a

fulfilling her mother’s last wishes, to complete the research

else, it

mentor, feeling

passing, he set up the TCL lab to carry on her

YQ would mean more

it would have the nation’s endorsement, keeping outside

would not need to rely on upper-level

idea,” Percival said, about to pull her close when she turned,

I look like I’m after your

silent response

the last bite. “Mr.

the trace of cream on her lips, he leaned in

of strawberries could

at Vivienne’s radiant cheeks, Percival felt a surge of affection.

lady was still young; he

Leopold thought in exasperation, “And you call yourself civilized? My Vivienne, our goddess, and here you