The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Blinking her eyes, Anna felt that Zelda was unusually enthusiastic today.

She glanced at Vivienne, seeking help, and Vivienne shot her a knowing look that said, “Girl, my aunt fancies you as a niece-in-law.”

Anna nearly choked on her drink. She was too young to be shackled by the chains of arranged dating!

No way, not happening!

Seeing Anna’s pleading eyes, Vivienne kindly excused her, breaking the tension.

Zelda, aware that Vivienne had serious matters to discuss, didn’t press further, content to wait until they were finished.

“Actually, my junior brother isn’t too shabby. Why not give him a shot?” Vivienne teased, playfully tipping Anna’s chin.

Anna blushed. “Ms. Vivienne, when did you start being so cheeky?”

“Picked it up from our Mr. Wolf.”

Percival, who had just walked in, paused upon hearing this.

What? Was he really that cheeky?

Anna quickly changed the subject when she saw Percival return. “Mr. Ellington, Herman mentioned you were looking for me. What’s up?”

Percival sat down next to Vivienne and said, “You’re about to graduate from Elite University, right? Applied for grad school yet?”

Anna nodded. “Yeah, just haven’t had the chance to take the exams; been swamped with training assignments lately.”

“Go for it, stick close to Aaron.”

It took Anna a moment to remember who Aaron was. “Stick close to him for what?”

It was then that Vivienne chimed in, “Aaron’s been dealing with the Brooks family lately, investigating the bionic biotech related to F-Poison. Assist him. There’s a Mara close to him with dubious intentions; just keep an eye on her discreetly; don’t blow your cover.”

Anna understood but still felt uneasy. “Ms. Vivienne, Noah is with GTO. They must know I’m with Vanguard Agency. Gillian even saw me at the training grounds today. Won’t this raise their suspicions?”

Vivienne smiled. “It will. And they’ll wonder if you’re there to investigate Aaron or Mara. Basically, you’ll be shrouded in mystery, and many will watch you. Be careful.”

Anna burst into laughter at this. She relished this kind of game. “Mission accepted.”

…

At Mara’s house.

if it was her imagination or if her scars really didn’t look as

door burst

Gillian

pillow in hand. “What… What have you done

her to the

asked? No progress in all this time. Have you been

dazed from the blows. “What are you on about? I’ve told you everything,

her face in

regained some sanity. “Tomorrow, I need results. I want Aaron under

sensed Gillian’s madness

arrived at Mara’s house

her warmly. “Vivienne, you’re here! I’ve prepared some fruit tea for you.

eyed the brew. It was indeed fruit tea, nothing

sip, Vivienne asked casually, “Bedroom or living

awkwardly, leading Vivienne

the bed. This episode was more intense than before; she even ran amok in the room, breaking

sat by, quietly

as

came from outside. “Mara,

it was Aaron. What was

of the disheveled

Vivienne in confusion. “What’s going on? Vivienne, is

her legs

throwing him into the bedroom

Click. The door locked.

the handle, but

looked at her,

It’s not

new tricks Mara had up her

pursed his lips, his

herself, no

Aaron had no

was indeed less painful than before, within her threshold of

closed door, Mara thought, “Vivienne, just you wait! After today,