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.

and declared, “I’ll report this to our superiors

outpaced even Cordelia. Before Vivienne could respond, Astrid was already on the phone with her

not help

Thaddeus got his

definitely took after

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

“Agreed,” Nodded Vivienne.

was always meant for the nation; she had no intention of keeping it

and

was waiting outside and escorted her

good mood, a smile playing

presented Vivienne with

it, Vivienne’s eyes lit up at the sight of

just take your cake for nothing. I’ll trade you this,”

“Only you know me

to relocate the TCL lab, and Vivienne had already found

“I want to merge the TCL lab with the YQ lab. Our research directions are the same;

through Astrid’s superiors. The nation will oversee the results directly, but the credit will still go to

intent on fulfilling her mother’s last wishes, to

everything else, it

mentor,

the TCL lab to carry on her research and ensure the medical advancements she

TCL with YQ would mean more powerful medical technologies and

importantly, it would have the nation’s

need to rely on upper-level approvals

her close when she turned, swiftly polishing off the last of

“Do I look like I’m after

silent response was, “Yes,

bite. “Mr. Wolf, I traded you for

trace of cream on her lips, he leaned

the sweetness of strawberries could not compare to the unique flavor of Vivienne

of affection. It took all

he could

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