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.

limbs from the blast, they reattached limbs that could be salvaged. Unfortunately, for

twenty-three individuals, one of whom turned out to be an innocent bystander. After receiving hefty compensation from Percival,

twenty-two were found with traces of ST-0, confirming

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

occurred away from residential areas,

issued a stern rebuke to its entire staff, starting with Vance, who

the phone. “Listen, Vance, you either find the person primarily responsible, or you pack up and

was either Thomas or Gillian. Vance and Micah never got in close proximity to the command console and were discussing the plan on the desk at the side. The others were all occupied in their corresponding positions. Thomas and Gillian

right hand. Plus, Thomas had always been the most sensible and cautious team leader of the three, or else Vance would

but without evidence—since the surveillance footage from the command

suffered a severe blow to the back of her head, and despite surgery, the

nurse who had been by her side immediately called

and to avoid stress to prevent headaches and dizziness,” the doctor advised after examining her and prescribed some medication before urging her to discharge herself. The hospital was overwhelmed, and with the ICU at capacity, even ordinary

doctor, my head hurts so badly. What if something

are waiting. Please pack your things and leave by this afternoon. Thank you for

argue, but the doctor ignored her

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

and Griffin waited anxiously, with Cordelia’s eyes

to her job commitments. No one anticipated that their next reunion would be in a hospital,

don’t worry. Astrid will be fine. With Frost

of solace, feigning a calm he was far from feeling. He was the rock of the family, the one who couldn’t