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

without a visible end, as

"Why is it so quiet? Didn't Zinnia

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 for the girl inside, he might think the room was

Percival noticed

her account three times a day, like clockwork. Yet

off," Percival

hesitation, they pushed open the door

followed closely as Cassidy turned to the

then saw the bandage wrapped around

at the sight of strangers. Desolate as if nothing in the world could stir any emotion on her

Vivienne was certain; this girl was indeed suffering

to stop at a distance that would feel safe to Cassidy,

was firm, and Cassidy didn't deny it. Her barely perceptible nod was like a dead tree's last sway, her eyes

thoughts, pulling up a chair to sit, "We're here about the situation online.

the 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 and

was prepared

to be

shifted her gaze from

her hospital gown.

loose on her, revealing layers of bandages beneath with any slight

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

disbelief, "Why? That woman, she thought I was pretending.

it was true, wasn't

remained silent; ever since Vivienne boldly declared herself a genius in front

was simply the truth, no room