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

“I’ll talk, I’ll talk.”

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

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,

justify another lash,

just one whip. Clearly, GTO did not train their agents well at all. If it were him,

“Got any proof?”

with him on those cameras,

ordered Benjamin to be

he was being set free, thanking Matthew profusely, “Thank

someone’s here to pick you

team entered, she greeted

of the intelligence bureau, Benjamin sat down

Benjamin away for an overnight interrogation. He spilled everything, including

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

Astrid received a call

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

“Appreciated.”

sudden that nobody knew the details, not even Gillian,

“What’s going on here?”

the first to retort. “Gillian,

activities to the higher-ups. Captain Thomas, remember that

the table. “Gillian, are you

“No, but I have to be on this mission, Vance. You can’t deny

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

but a shake of Micah’s head silenced him.

this mission was about. Thus, she could

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

order. “First squad, send scouts to assess the bomb layout.