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 decided that Percival would escort

In the car.

sat in the passenger seat, glancing through the rear-view mirror at Griffin in the

you a bit too eager back

wondered

out a slight smile, his eyes feigning innocence. "Well, we're married now, so your mentor is mine by extension. Your protege is naturally my protege, too. Is there an issue with that,

chuckled. "Keep gloating. Wait until my seniors find time to come over. Remember the debacle at Havenwood

stiffened at the

still reeking of some prank, gave him

to mentor such

creased his forehead. "Vivienne, believe me, if they dare to show up this

a plan?"

smile held a hint of mystery.

the back seat, hastily lowering his head

was in the thick of a virtual battle with video editing and online commentators at the Vanguard Agency. It read, [Percival says he's got plans for you

mouse, turning what was supposed to

Leopold by the collar. "Tell

at all. Leave

provoked Percival recently. Why's he out to get me?] Muttering to himself, he

to prank Percival's place. So he's planning

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

[Some thank-you, that is. What kind

was

words came out in a 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