The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Astrid gave a curt nod. “Yes, Alfred has confessed. We detected a virus in his system, which, according to him, is called ST-0. Apparently, it’s a mandatory injection for all members of their spy ring. This virus alters their genetic makeup, enabling them to slip through searches undetected.”

No wonder Astrid had never suspected Alfred during their courtship. His genetics had been altered.

ST-0 was obviously a precursor to ST-1. Both involved genetics!

Astrid continued, “Vivienne, looks like we’re back in the game together.”

Vivienne chuckled. “Yeah, teaming up again. Time to bring down this spy network once and for all!”

“And Benjamin…”

“Leave Benjamin to me. I’ll get what I need from him, and then he’ll be all yours by tomorrow morning. Someone will be in touch.”

Astrid understood. “Alright, I’ll await your update.”

…

In the Nine Mystics Society’s interrogation room.

Benjamin gradually came to, realizing he was strung up from the ceiling, his feet dangling above a bubbling cauldron.

He recoiled in shock. “This is torture! I demand human rights!”

Matthew strolled in, smirking at Benjamin’s outcry. “Human rights? For a spy like you?”

Benjamin, no longer hiding his true colors, retorted, “Don’t prisoners of war get decent treatment? You’ll regret this!”

The next moment, a lash from Matthew’s whip cut across Benjamin’s body without mercy. “You think this is a place for pleasantries? Don’t you know who I am? Spill it—who put you up to selling those cameras?”

The sting of the whip nearly sent Benjamin into the afterlife, and he quickly realized he wasn’t dealing with the usual authorities.

had set

“I’ll talk, I’ll talk.”

official agencies, but against this rough justice, silence could

Dracon Linklater. He had me steal the Brooks family’s cameras to leak bionic tech secrets, all for profit. He paid me handsomely, and I was going to run with the money, but then you caught me.

justify another lash,

had no backbone, spilling the beans after just one whip. Clearly, GTO did not train their agents well at all. If it were him,

“Got any proof?”

him on those cameras, got the videos

ordered Benjamin to

thanking Matthew profusely, “Thank you, boss. Does this mean I can

nodded. “Sure, someone’s here to pick you

entered, she greeted him, “Old-F, if you

still in the hands of

for an overnight interrogation. He spilled everything,

capture, they might flee.

Astrid received a call from

has ordered Vanguard Agency to assist in capturing the GTO spy ring,” Vance

“Appreciated.”

was on the move. The mission was so sudden that nobody knew the details, not even Gillian, who voiced her confusion to Vance as he, Micah, and Thomas were

“What’s going on here?”

the first to retort. “Gillian, this isn’t

Agency activities to the higher-ups. Captain Thomas, remember that everything here goes through

file on the table. “Gillian, are you after my director’s

be on this mission, Vance. You can’t deny

the meddling higher-ups. “Fine, you’re

to object, but a shake of Micah’s head silenced him.

what this mission was

Agency, in conjunction with the intelligence bureau, swiftly surrounded the location Benjamin had

immediately gave the order. “First squad, send scouts to assess the bomb layout. Second squad, provide cover.