The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne lifted a hand and gently tilted Mara’s chin upward, her expression icy, “Do I need to remind you of the way your grandmother treated my mother-in-law? My mother-in-law was nothing but kind and generous to the Boyd family. What reason did she have to be ashamed in front of your grandma?”

Mara bit her lip hard, clearly struggling with resentment, “But you can’t just take people! I admit I did wrong, and you used me as a guinea pig—that punishment I accept. But what did Huxley do? He was minding his own business at home, and you took him prisoner. How is that fair?”

Vivienne’s face remained expressionless as she released Mara’s chin and wiped her hands with a tissue. With a calm voice, she commanded, “Thomas, bring it in.”

In no time, Thomas entered the room, carrying over his shoulder an android that was the spitting image of Huxley.

With a thud, the robot was unceremoniously dumped on the floor, landing right next to Mara’s feet.

The android’s lifeless eyes stared directly at the siblings, sending Mara into a shriek of fear as she turned and buried herself in Huxley’s embrace.

Huxley’s face paled, his anger from days of captivity dissipating under Vivienne’s icy gaze.

It was as if he suddenly became aware of the gravity of his situation.

His face was ashen, and with trembling hands, he shielded Mara behind him. “What is this thing? Why does it look exactly like me?”

Vivienne locked eyes with him. “What? You don’t recognize this ‘thing’?”

“How could I?” Huxley retorted immediately, “Is this an android? Why would you make one that looks like me? Vivienne, look at me. I’m nothing compared to my sister; I have no chance against you—why can’t you just leave me alone?”

The confusion and helplessness on his face did not seem feigned.

Anna believed she had encountered countless smooth-talking criminals and could often tell when they were lying—not always, but at least four times out of five.

But now, facing Huxley, she couldn’t tell if he was lying at all.

out a news clipping that had been suppressed by the higher-ups. “Mr. Boyd,

Huxley hesitated, “Should I?”

where there was a hole. “This android was found in my mother-in-law’s hospital room. Huxley, that’s quite bold of you, isn’t it?

as he realized Percival seemed convinced the

scrambled to think

to

hands clutched Huxley’s clothes tightly, her eyes flickering with nervousness and

Damn it!

the hell were

he possibly do that

must be looking for an excuse to get rid

wouldn’t let

M State before—who knows what they did with him there? Percival, Vivienne, we’re

spoke with a soft, analytical

if they were actually considering Mara’s

gestures bolstered Mara’s

hope as he straightened up

he’s like—so timid he wouldn’t even harm a chicken. Besides, if he really wanted to harm your mother, why would he send an android that looks just like himself? Even a

notice the fleeting stiffness in Huxley’s body as she finished

glint flashed in her

into a smile

right. Vivienne, is it possible there’s a mole in your operation? After all, only those on the inside would know your mother’s location, and I—I don’t have the skills

smile bloomed like a poisonous poppy,

smile and tossed the tissue she had used into the trash, speaking calmly, “Then it seems we have an internal issue to deal with, Mr. Wolf. We’d better

on Huxley, his voice deep and rough, “Yes, we should investigate thoroughly. We can’t be