The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Gillian slouched pathetically between two chairs, her eyes pleading for sympathy.

Vance and Micah stood behind her, shaking their heads in silence before circling around to face her.

“Gillian, the surveillance caught what you did. You’ve been flagged as the prime suspect, and when the higher-ups get here, you’ll have to explain yourself.”

Gillian clutched her face in feigned innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about! Besides, I can’t even see this supposed surveillance you’re mentioning. How can I be sure you’re not just framing me? And I’ll have you know, I’m pressing charges against Vivienne for this mess. She won’t get away with what she did to me!”

Vivienne snorted with laughter and pulled a packet from her bag, tossing a facial mask onto Gillian’s face.

The moment it touched her skin, Gillian let out a squeal like a pig being slaughtered. Miraculously, her face returned to normal, not a single mark to be seen.

Then, Vivienne shoved the footage in front of her. “This is you, right?”

Gillian nodded. “Yes, that’s me, but I was just checking the screens at the command console. It’s my job to keep records. Is that a crime now?”

With a swift motion, Vivienne slapped Gillian across the face.

It wasn’t just for the sake of it—her palm was itching for justice!

The slap left Gillian’s cheek swelling even more than before, ballooning up instantly.

“That’s your problem to explain!” Vivienne said with disdain, handing over the tablet to Micah. “I’ll be waiting for the outcome.”

With that, Vivienne turned on her heel and walked away.

Gillian scrambled toward the door, only to be tripped up by Micah’s cane, which “accidentally” landed on her already fractured ankle.

“Ah!” she cried out, pain knocking her out cold.

to, she found herself in a hospital ward—the genuine patient this time, with doctors who wouldn’t dream

could finally see

don’t remember what happened. I hit my head on some

mess, insisting

“I hear you. You’re new here, still wet behind the ears. It’s normal to make a mistake now and

by Vance’s words, Gillian’s lips curled into a smile.

“Of course, I believe you, Gillian. You’re a gem at the Vanguard Agency. If I can’t

knew you’d believe

story, she added an extra

on, Sophia will handle all

Gillian stunned. Was Vance stripping her of her authority? Headquarters sent her; Vance had no right to

“Director, I…”

Rest up. The headquarters has sent an investigative team. Just cooperate with them, and don’t

his belief in her seemingly

Gillian, her days of pulling strings at the Rivenwood Vanguard

left, the shock was evident on Gillian’s

price to infiltrate Rivenwood Vanguard Agency, and now Vance dismissed her with just a

Sea City main office’s investigation team entered, taking

of the situation, she would be detained

could infiltrate Vanguard Agency as a secretary from headquarters, what

Gillian being led away, still feeling a knot of unresolved anger. If Gillian dared to return to Rivenwood Vanguard Agency, Vivienne would ensure it

been found,”

taken in for questioning, there was still one more player to deal with—the man at the heart of it all, Dracon, who had

their synthetic robots. It wouldn’t be a stretch

my father is? Touch me, and you’ll regret

basement, his

of Benjamin’s mishap the same day and knew his exposure was imminent. He fled on the first flight out, hoping to lay