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.

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

door

Gillian

jumped, retreating with a pillow in hand. “What… What have you done to yourself? Stay back, don’t

her, pinning her to the

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

on about? I’ve told you everything, and Vivienne’s coming

wiped her face in disgust. “What’s gotten

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

madness and

Vivienne arrived

you’re here! I’ve

was indeed fruit tea, nothing

a sip, Vivienne asked

laughed awkwardly, leading

This episode was more intense than before; she even ran amok

by, quietly observing the

the pain wasn’t as bad as before. Was Mara’s

from

Aaron. What was he doing here

and Aaron stepped in. The sight of

confusion. “What’s going

chair with her legs

away, throwing him into the bedroom and dashing out. And “accidentally,” the

Click. The door locked.

tried the handle,

Aaron looked at her, at

“If you can’t get out, just stay put. It’s not like

curious to see what new tricks Mara had up

his lips, his gaze

always untouchable, like Venus herself, no matter

sofa in Mara’s room, Aaron had no

it was indeed less painful than before, within her threshold of

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