The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Without hesitation, Soren fed Anna the last life-saving pill, ensuring she was quickly lifted onto a stretcher.

Meanwhile, Percival and Leopold rounded up every suspicious character within sight. Regardless of their protests and cries of innocence, they took no chances, erring on the side of caution rather than risk letting a spy slip through their grasp.

Those trained in the art of espionage were highly alert and masterful actors. Their disguises were so convincing that even the sharpest detective eyes might fail to discern their true nature.

Soon, they had filled two vans with captives, and Leopold, unable to stand, slumped beside Percival on one knee.

“Hang in there, Leopold,” Percival urged, supporting him with one arm to prevent him from slipping into unconsciousness.

Thomas had arrived with reinforcements, and the National Intelligence Bureau’s backup had also reached the scene. The situation was finally under control, with the threat of a secondary explosion averted, and all the injured had been rushed to the hospital, including Gillian, who was now in the ICU.

By the time Soren was admitted to the hospital, he was unconscious, with shards of glass lodged perilously inside him.

Karen, who took over his care, was stunned by the severity of his injuries.

“Frost, didn’t you give him a life-saving pill?” Karen knew Vivienne always carried life-saving pills for emergencies, especially for missions like these, where they were stocked in abundance.

Given Soren’s critical condition, it was unthinkable that Vivienne wouldn’t have administered one.

Vivienne frowned slightly. “I did, but I think he shared them with his team. Mom, he’s in your hands now. I need to check on Anna and Astrid.”

“Okay,” Karen responded without further inquiry. Time was of the essence, and every second counted.

two nights and a day, Karen and Vivienne managed to save all the injured. For those who lost their limbs from the blast, they reattached limbs that could be salvaged. Unfortunately, for those whose limbs were lost, there

whom turned out to be an innocent bystander. After

remaining twenty-two were found with traces of ST-0, confirming their espionage without a

suffered over a hundred injuries, and all members of the National Intelligence Bureau’s

away from residential areas, sparing civilians

entire staff, starting with Vance, who faced a severe reprimand and the cancellation of

“Listen, Vance, you either find the person primarily

the side. The

given his years of reliable service as Percival’s right hand. Plus, Thomas had always been the most sensible

but without evidence—since the surveillance footage from

had suffered a severe blow to the back of her

nurse who had been by her side immediately called for a doctor when

to discharge herself. The hospital was overwhelmed, and with the ICU at capacity, even ordinary wards were in high demand. Given how light Gillian’s injury was, she should not be

so badly. What if something happens after I leave? I can’t

but you must leave. There are no beds left, and others are waiting. Please pack your things and leave by this afternoon. Thank you

argue, but the doctor ignored

still watching over things in the ICU. Anna and Astrid’s situation had yet to improve, and

ICU, Dorian’s family and Griffin waited anxiously, with

over a year, and even phone calls were rare due to her job commitments. No one anticipated that their next reunion would

Cordelia, Karen handed her a calming pill. “Cordelia, don’t worry.

far from feeling. He was the rock of the family, the one