The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

“Sir, would you mind sharing the story with us in more detail?” Vivienne inquired.

The old man nodded, “Of course. That year left a deep impression on us. Elliot was the beacon of hope for our entire family. Even our distant relatives had high hopes for him. After all, for a low-income family like ours, having a kid in high school was already a big deal.

Elliot’s grades, though, were average at best. He was not exactly a standout student and didn’t have many friends. He was a bit of a loner.

But ever since the kidnapping, it was as if he had become a different person. He was much more outgoing. Even got scolded by me for dating a girl from school. Truth be told, I thought the boy who came back was a lot better off. A young man shouldn’t be so withdrawn.”

Vivienne exchanged a glance with Percival.

Most people would be crushed by such traumatic memories and not emerge more cheerful and sociable.

How could this Elliot have possibly transformed so positively?

The father continued, “Elliot didn’t let us down, though. He got into Elite University, and after graduating, he went abroad for further studies.”

At the mention of going abroad, the silent mother let out a stifled sob, tears streaming down her face.

Vivienne silently passed her a tissue, “Did something happen?”

The man sighed, his expression growing somber. “We were originally against the idea of him going abroad, but Elliot was determined. He worked his way through, not needing a dime from us. Reluctantly, his mother and I agreed. But once he left, he never returned.”

The woman began to cry louder. “If I had known I’d never see my boy again, I would have never let him go abroad for his studies!”

“What happened to Elliot overseas?” Percival asked.

The man wiped away tears. “Elliot did well in school and work, consistently earning scholarships. But he rarely contacted us; communication was difficult back then, and we couldn’t go abroad. Thankfully, he sent photos home, so at least I could see his face from time to time.

After Elliot graduated and got a job at the university, we knew he wouldn’t come back. We thought about moving abroad to be with him since he was settled. But then… there was a shooting at his school. Many students and teachers died, and Elliot was among them!”

The woman, overcome with grief, buried her face in her hands. “My poor son… I didn’t even get to see him one last time. How could he have left before us?”

her condolences

did not realize that her son

raised was

calmed down, Percival asked, “Would it be too much to ask to see some photos of Elliot? Especially the ones he sent from

there aren’t many, especially after the kidnapping, and even fewer from his years abroad, less than ten in

album, noticing pictures of Elliot in graduation robes, on

of a simple life, mostly

study

have gone overseas otherwise,”

as he turned the pages, a complex

Vivienne leaned

of one of Elliot’s

of the

of disguise to hide in Elliot’s home, taking his place and living on

met Flynn and passed on his despicable

and said, “Thank you. We’ve got what we need. Someone will be by shortly to take you to

anyone to talk to about Elliot for a long time. Thank you

a comforting smile before

photos were quickly

on the printout, Percival’s fingertips

asked, “Do you want

Even if we asked him, he wouldn’t say anything. We’d be better off figuring out how

then. It’s hard to believe he

hunch that the secrets F-Poison carried were tied to

“Come to the hospital. Your undercover

Quincy!

in the ambush on Noah,

managing to save