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 him

“I’ll talk, I’ll talk.”

could posture all he wanted with the official agencies, but

Dracon Linklater. He had me steal the Brooks family’s cameras to leak bionic tech secrets, all for profit. He paid me handsomely, and

couldn’t justify another

the beans after just one whip. Clearly, GTO did not train their agents well at all. If it were him, he would never betray

“Got any proof?”

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

ordered Benjamin to be

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

nodded. “Sure, someone’s here

and her team entered, she greeted him, “Old-F,

hands of the intelligence bureau, Benjamin sat down

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

they might flee. Thus, Astrid immediately mobilized

Astrid received

to assist in capturing the GTO spy ring,”

“Appreciated.”

was on the move. The mission was so sudden that nobody knew

“What’s going on here?”

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

all Vanguard Agency activities to the

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

“No, but I have to be on

“Fine, you’re in. But

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

Gillian still had no idea what this

location Benjamin had

to assess the bomb layout. Second squad, provide cover. We need