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.

mirror, wondering if it was her imagination or if her

door

mud-covered Gillian

in hand. “What… What have you done to yourself?

to the floor,

asked? No progress in all this time. Have

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

Mara wiped her face in disgust. “What’s gotten

I need results. I want

Gillian’s madness and

morning, Vivienne arrived at Mara’s house

here! I’ve prepared

eyed the brew. It was

a sip, Vivienne asked

Mara laughed awkwardly, leading

was more intense than before; she even ran amok in

by, quietly observing the

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

from outside.

an eyebrow; it was Aaron. What was he

sight of the disheveled room and

in confusion. “What’s going on?

back in her chair with her legs crossed, Vivienne replied

bedroom and dashing out. And

Click. The door locked.

stunned and tried the handle, but it

looked at her, at

put. It’s not like there’s anything to

see what new tricks Mara had up

his lips, his gaze falling

herself,

room, Aaron

touched her cheek; it was

just you wait! After today,