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

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,

he couldn’t justify

had no backbone, spilling the beans after just one whip. Clearly, GTO did not train their agents well

“Got any proof?”

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

ordered Benjamin to

thought he was being set free, thanking Matthew profusely, “Thank you, boss. Does this mean I

“Sure, someone’s here to pick you

entered, she

the hands of the

He spilled everything, including his dealings with

they might flee.

received a call

ordered Vanguard Agency to assist in capturing

“Appreciated.”

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 Thomas were

“What’s going on here?”

the first to retort.

must report all Vanguard Agency activities to the higher-ups. Captain Thomas, remember that everything here

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

be on this mission, Vance.

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

but a shake of Micah’s head silenced him. Gillian, being from headquarters, was an unavoidable addition to the

Gillian still had no idea what this mission was about. Thus, she could

intelligence bureau, swiftly surrounded the location Benjamin

send scouts to assess the