The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the dimly lit basement of a house tucked away in the sleepy suburb of Rivenwood, Calista found herself inexplicably transported to this place, shrouded in darkness.

She huddled on the cold floor, with the constant, eerie sound of dripping water echoing throughout the room. Each drop seemed to land directly on her heart, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.

The bruises from Mr. B’s beating had not fully healed, and she winced at the occasional twinge of pain.

After what felt like an eternity, punctuated only by drifting in and out of sleep, Calista finally heard footsteps approaching.

Scrambling to kneel, she began to plead toward the sound, “Mr. B, I’ve done it – I’ve developed the Boar Poison, just like the sample you gave me. Please, I beg you, let me go!”

Click.

A blinding light suddenly filled the room, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut in pain and fear.

“You’ve got the wrong person, sweetheart. Stand up.”

Calista’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of the voice, not unlike the mechanical tone Mr. B had once used before dropping her facade.

As her eyes adjusted, she could make out a figure dressed just like Mr. B – a trench coat and a fedora shadowing his face.

“You’re not Mr. B?” She whispered, disbelief lacing her words.

“I’m the boss, the one she answered to. Call me boss if you like, but I’m not fond of the title. I prefer you call me F-Poison.”

F-Poison dusted off her coat nonchalantly. “Ah, got it. You thought I was Belle because of the outfit, right?”

Calista could detect a note of amusement in the grating mechanical

the aura he exuded – one of

that name was too harsh, not fitting for a girl.

squatted in front of Calista, seemingly

whatever you say is right…” Calista stuttered, seated on the

my girl. It’s a shame, really.

raced. Mr. B – Belle – was

would explain the

would you have me do?

hung by a thread, useful only for her

her head. “Good girl. I do have a task

Whatever you ask of me!” Calista

“Then brace yourself.”

fell, her consciousness fading. She

living hell out of Calista, F-Poison said calmly, “I don’t have a choice. Vivienne recognizes people by their bones, and a simple disguise won’t

the beating and filled with misery,

…

At the Ellington family.

exception. With Fiona in her wheelchair, brought by Heloise, and even the elusive Kenneth

the last to arrive, bearing

him as naturally as if

such intimacy with Richard. Yet here was Vivienne, not even officially part of the family, and she acted with such

now the family’s all here. Once your uncle arrives, we can start dinner,” Richard announced,

guilt in his eyes. She paid it no minBooks Chapters Are Daily Updated