The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Diana locked eyes with Vesper and felt a sudden tightness in her chest. Guilt washed over her, and she quickly averted her gaze, scurrying back to her room.

Once inside, she realized she was drenched in a cold sweat, her fear palpable.

Then, the itch started. She scratched furiously, but it brought no relief. It felt as if a million tiny bugs were crawling over her skin.

Soon after, a bone-chilling cold enveloped her as if she had plunged into an icy cavern.

Outside, Vivienne withdrew her hand, her cheeks as cool and expressionless as a winter’s dawn.

She had not outright killed Diana because something about the situation perplexed her. In this world, there was only one kind of poison that could elude her senses—Karen’s poison.

And yet, Diana had somehow managed to get her hands on it.

Vesper, too, pulled back in silence.

Though it was not time to strike a lethal blow, ensuring Diana suffered a little was within Vesper’s means.

Feeling the cold grip of winter amid the height of summer certainly had a certain appeal.

“Vivienne, I will get to the bottom of this. Your suffering won’t be in vain,” Jasper said, his features etched with concern.

Even if he trusted Diana would not do such a thing, it did not mean the juice Vivienne had been served was not poisonous.

Vivienne would never lie, and Vesper would not have forced the poison out without good reason.

“Grandpa, don’t worry about me, I’m fine.” Vivienne’s smile was a feeble attempt to ease his worry. She would handle this herself.

“Dad, let me help you back inside. Mr. Linklater was supposed to—hey, where did Mr. Linklater go?” Yuri looked around, perplexed by Vesper’s sudden disappearance.

Vivienne turned, and sure enough, Vesper had vanished without a trace!

She had been unguarded last time, but this time, she was on high alert, and he still managed to slip away.

Jasper suddenly realized he had not heard Finnian’s voice in a while. He turned around to find nothing but a grinning face carved onto an old banyan tree.

“That old codger, I’ll get him one of these days!” Finnian cursed.

“Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’ll bring

a tracker on Vesper, and now it was moving in

she discovered

together, the locations spelled out a

[Frost, you’re still green!]

Vivienne punched the wall, creating

was nowhere near as powerful as

would catch

to Vesper and saying, “You’re done for. Your

twinkling as he looked at Finnian.

dawned on Finnian that although Vivienne could not find Karen, she could certainly

mother, like daughter!”

“Finnian, I learned from

that, she slipped away. She had more pressing matters to attend to—Diana had made contact with GTO, and there was nothing simple

Meanwhile, at Vanguard Agency.

the document. The bold title stared back at him, reflecting a profound reluctance in his

he rose from his chair and made his way to the

when he saw the

are you sure you want to do this?” Vance frowned, searching Percival’s eyes for a hint

But there was none.

gaze was icy as he affirmed, “Yes, I’m

letter on the

do you realize what you’re doing? I know you have issues with me, and you’re still sore over Leopold’s case, but this is no

accusingly at Percival, unable to contain

mind and a commendable record in the field. He was the youngest deputy director with a limitless future, spared even after almost

now, he wanted

that was not madness,

expression was stoic, his resolve clear

air. If Percival were his apprentice, he would have

still under investigation, and you’re just walking away? All because

calm as if nothing could disturb the

deal with my mentor’s issues and GTO in my own way. As for Micah, that’s

a look of suspicion crossing his face. He could not quite grasp what

speak in a measured tone, “What exactly are you trying