The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Jerry weighed the possibility, a hint of gloom in his voice, "If that's the case, we're in for some trouble. Let's not even mention that the harassment case is several years old now. But at present, they're insisting that the girl committed suicide because of severe depression, and encountering Julian just pushed him over the edge. We have no way to verify that."

"Who says we can't?" Vivienne, acting on the information Matthew had dug up earlier, stepped into the elevator, "Just wait for my news. I'll fill you in later."

The moment the elevator doors closed with a ding, she promptly ended the call.

Percival watched the floor numbers rise with a hint of concern in his eyes, "Vivienne, are you really sure that woman's daughter will help us?"

Vivienne: "I'm not sure."

Such honesty, and they were at a loss for words.

Sensing the chill in Vivienne's gaze, Percival cleared his throat, "So, are we here today just to fish for information?"

"Exactly."

The elevator dinged upon reaching the fifteenth floor.

Vivienne waited for the doors to fully open before stepping out.

Walking along the corridor towards the most secluded corner, they approached the VIP hospital room with the poorest lighting.

Through the glass door, they could see a girl in a hospital gown sitting on the pristine white bed, barely in her early twenties. Her face was devoid of color, skin stretched over bones as if she was merely a skeleton with a layer of flesh.

She didn't seem to care about her cracked, bleeding lips, her gaze lifelessly fixed outside the window.

Several birds perched on the glass, hopping around cheerfully and unafraid of humans.

As she reached out, the birds fluttered away in all directions.

noticed the bandages revealed as the

into her sleeve without a visible end, as if her

Didn't Zinnia claim she visits daily? It's

rooms seemed at least to have some activity, be it a nurse or a family member. This area felt like a forgotten corner

and Percival

Cassidy's room on her account three times a day, like clockwork. Yet now, well past

Percival coldly

pushed open the door and

followed closely as Cassidy turned

the bandage wrapped around

surprise or panic at the sight of strangers. Desolate as if nothing in the world could stir

certain; this girl was indeed suffering

paused, gently pulling Percival to stop at a distance that would feel safe to

nod

sense her thoughts, pulling up a chair to sit, "We're here about the situation online. Your mother, accusing Julian of harassment, you know

trembled, a pained expression crossing her face, and if one looked closely, they

prepared

didn't expect Cassidy to be so forthcoming. Her

stayed unspoken as she shifted her gaze from

her hospital gown.

her, revealing layers of bandages

she finally voiced her question, "If you weren't harassed, then what caused your

few moments of bewilderment, she expressed her disbelief, "Why? That woman, she thought I was pretending. Why do you believe me?" Vivienne shrugged, "Because I'm a miracle

thought, although it was true, wasn't that a

in front of Samantha, he

was simply the truth, no room for