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.

sharp eyes, noticed the bandages revealed as

her wrist into her sleeve without a visible end, as if

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

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.

and Percival noticed

pictures of Cassidy's room on her account three times a day, like clockwork. Yet now, well past lunchtime, she was nowhere to be

off," Percival

hesitation, they pushed open

Thomas followed closely as Cassidy turned

saw the bandage wrapped

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

moment, Vivienne was certain; this girl was indeed suffering from

to stop at a distance

Cassidy didn't deny it. Her barely perceptible nod was like a dead tree's last

Vivienne could sense her thoughts, pulling up a chair to sit, "We're here about the situation

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 unpleasant,

prepared for

to be so forthcoming. Her

as she shifted her gaze

hospital gown.

loose on her, revealing layers

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

of bewilderment, she expressed her disbelief, "Why? That woman,

was true, wasn't that a bit

genius in front of Samantha,

simply the truth, no room