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.

set him

“I’ll talk, I’ll talk.”

with the official agencies, but against this rough justice, silence

all for profit. He paid me handsomely, and I was going to run with the

couldn’t justify

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

“Got any proof?”

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

Matthew ordered Benjamin to be cut

set free, thanking Matthew profusely, “Thank you, boss. Does

“Sure, someone’s here to

Astrid and her team entered, she greeted him,

fate was still in the hands of the intelligence bureau, Benjamin

spilled everything, including his dealings

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

road, Astrid received a call from

to assist in capturing

“Appreciated.”

sudden that nobody knew the details, not even Gillian, who voiced her confusion to Vance as he, Micah, and

“What’s going on here?”

first to retort. “Gillian, this isn’t

I must report all Vanguard Agency activities to the higher-ups. Captain Thomas,

table. “Gillian, are you after my director’s chair

clarified, “No, but I have to be on this mission,

his breath at the meddling higher-ups. “Fine, you’re in. But

a shake of Micah’s head silenced him. Gillian, being from

idea what this mission was

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

scouts to assess the bomb layout. Second