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.

eyes, noticed the bandages revealed as the girl stretched

long strip, extending from her wrist into her sleeve without a

is it so quiet? Didn't Zinnia claim she visits daily? It's past

other VIP rooms seemed at least to have some activity, be it a nurse or a family member. This area felt like a forgotten corner of the world, devoid of life. If not

and Percival noticed this

a day, like clockwork. Yet

off," Percival coldly

hesitation, they pushed open the

Thomas followed closely as Cassidy turned

then saw the bandage wrapped around

showed no surprise or panic at the sight of strangers. Desolate as if nothing in the world could stir any

moment, Vivienne was certain; this girl was

Percival to stop at a distance that would feel safe to Cassidy, "You must

didn't deny it. Her barely perceptible nod was

to sit, "We're here about the situation online. Your mother,

mention, Cassidy's previously stagnant eyes flickered to life. Her pupils trembled, a pained expression crossing her face, and if one looked closely, they could see guilt and unease. "I..." Cassidy's voice was hoarse

prepared for a

didn't expect Cassidy to be so forthcoming.

unspoken as she shifted

hospital gown.

S-sized gown hung loose on her, revealing layers of

her question, "If

moments of bewilderment, she expressed her disbelief, "Why? That woman, she thought I was

it was true, wasn't that a bit too

declared herself a genius in front of Samantha, he was no longer surprised

worker, indeed. It was simply