The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Griffin shifted closer to Vivienne with a hushed urgency. "Vivienne, you don't seriously think my dad's in cahoots with someone out to harm your protege, do you? That's insane! I swear on the grave of Leopold Sterling, my father is not that man. You just helped our family out not too long ago. He'd never be so ungrateful."

Stellan caught on to the gravity of the situation and quickly interjected, "I'm in the dark about this, truly. But rest assured, I'll get to the bottom of it once I'm back. Please believe me. If I chose to collaborate with you, I would never stab you in the back!"

His words hung in the air, sounding pale and unconvincing.

Stellan pursed his lips and pointed to the serial number etched on the glass tube: "The Martinez family's recent research batches all start with 19. But this one, it indeed starts with 18. I think someone took advantage of a lapse in security and stole some of our failed experiments."

Griffin had unwavering faith in his father's integrity. He appeared visibly distressed at the suggestion of mistrust. Clinging to Vivienne, she incessantly assured her of his father's innocence.

Vivienne and Percival exchanged a glance, their expressions unreadable.

The couple sat with stone-cold faces, impossible to read, simply exchanging looks and then slowly shaking their heads.

Seeing this, Stellan felt his heart skip a beat!

A chilling sense of dread crawled up from his feet and spread throughout his body.

If Percival wasn't satisfied with his explanation and took this as evidence against them, the Martinez family would be ruined!

"Mr. Perc..." Stellan straightened up, ready to defend his case further.

Percival raised his hand, signaling for silence, and said, "Mr. Martinez, Vivienne and I would very much like to trust you. However, we need answers for this incident."

Vivienne spoke up with a stern tone, "A biochemical weapon leak is no trivial matter. If someone managed to steal from the Martinez family's tightly secured lab, it must be someone you trust. Since you've been researching biochemical weapons, you've created quite a few prototypes that couldn't be mass-produced. If these got out and hit the market, it wouldn't just be a matter of trust anymore." Stellan understood the gravity of Vivienne's implication.

His expression turned grave as he looked at the contents of the case and declared, "Ms. Hawthorn, rest assured, I will get to the bottom of this. The Martinez family will not tolerate a traitor!" Having made such a firm promise, Vivienne and Percival had little more to say.

Stepping out of the café, Stellan headed for the Martinez family's laboratory tucked away in the Rivenwood suburb.

reluctant to venture there and after a brief discussion with Vivienne, it was

In the car.

through the rear-view mirror at Griffin in the back, who was grinning ear

elbow. "Mr. Wolf, weren't you a bit too eager back there? Since when did Donald become

wondered what she

your mentor is mine by extension. Your protege is naturally my

issue," Vivienne chuckled. "Keep gloating. Wait until my seniors find time to come over. Remember the debacle at Havenwood with your real

stiffened at

still reeking of some prank, gave him

to mentor such a bunch

if they dare to

plan?" Vivienne asked,

of mystery. "You'll see

no one noticed Griffin in the back seat, hastily lowering his head

of a virtual battle with video editing and online commentators

with the mouse, turning what

molars in annoyance and grabbed Leopold by the collar. "Tell me, Mr. Sterling, have you

all.

he out to get me?] Muttering to himself, he

they'd be coming over to prank Percival's place. So he's planning to deal

all together as her proteges and surreptitiously snitched to Leopold, [Don't tell anyone I told you. Consider it a thank-you for taking

is. What kind of gift

he was already pacing around the office

frantic whisper, "We're toast, we're totally toast. Percival's definitely one step ahead this time. I told those clowns not to push it too far last