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.”

could posture all he wanted with the official agencies, but against this rough justice, silence could

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

frustrated he couldn’t justify

spilling the beans after just one whip. Clearly, GTO did not train their agents well at all. If it were

“Got any proof?”

recorded every meeting with him on those cameras, got the videos to prove

Matthew ordered Benjamin to be

he was being set free, thanking Matthew profusely, “Thank you, boss.

here to pick you

her team entered, she

in the hands of the intelligence

an overnight interrogation. He spilled everything, including his dealings with Dracon

was scarce. If GTO discovered Benjamin’s capture, they might flee. Thus, Astrid immediately mobilized her

received a call from

assist in capturing the GTO spy ring,”

“Appreciated.”

and Vance quickly agreed to cooperate, and the entire Vanguard Agency 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

“What’s going on here?”

retort. “Gillian, this isn’t

activities to the higher-ups.

slammed the file on the table. “Gillian, are you after

clarified, “No, but I have to be

higher-ups. “Fine, you’re in. But any slip-ups and

Micah’s head silenced him. Gillian, being from headquarters, was an unavoidable

successfully joining the mission, Gillian still had no idea what this mission

bureau, swiftly surrounded the location Benjamin had provided. Infrared cameras revealed bombs inside, akin

squad, send scouts to assess the bomb layout.