The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

After Vivienne finished speaking, Floyd's smile froze on his face for a brief moment. However, he was looking down, and no one seemed to notice the change in his expression.

The manor looked much the same as it did in Floyd's childhood, yet everything about it seemed to irk him now.

He had barely been back in his room for a few minutes when his phone rang. He walked over to the window and answered it.

The call began with a brief crackle of static before a distorted voice came through, "Everything's set for the day of the gala. There'll be a bomb planted, and all you have to do is press the button. They'll die there." "Understood. Thanks for your efforts. Send over the new research report as soon as you can," Floyd spoke, his gaze fixed on the doorway.

Someone was lingering outside his door. He wasn't sure who it was, but was it too naive of Vivienne's family to suspect him at such a critical moment?

"I won't keep you any longer. Just make sure you're ready to handle what comes next."

The call ended promptly, and Floyd saved the number under a lab contact list.

Soon after, there was a knock at the door. "Floyd, what are you up to? Wanna come out and chat for a bit?"

Opening the door, Floyd found Juliette, a head shorter than him, struggling to look up at him.

"Why'd you have to be so tall? My neck's starting to hurt," Juliette complained, frowning.

Floyd chuckled. "Maybe you should eat more; get a bit taller yourself."

They chatted as they walked outside.

Vivienne and Percival each asked about their recent lives, but everyone was more curious about Floyd, who always seemed too caught up to return home.

have to stay and oversee things. Most of

then?" Vivienne teased. "Are

a few, but everyone's too focused on their work for any office

a girl from abroad. His kids could

as Percival shook his head. "Let's not jump

simply said, "I've been dedicating these years to our research

left his mind; how

to eliminate Vivienne's entire family. Nothing else mattered to

screen: 'Lab potion development, David.' Floyd excused himself to answer the call, stepping into the backyard with a serious expression replacing his smile. Juliette's

Floyd didn't waver. He remained silent, his

mood. "Isaiah, what's on your

the garden flowers

"Why, yes. I took care of them just the other

weeds have sprouted up

was on a tense call. "They've changed the venue last minute? What's going on? We'll have to disarm the bomb we planted. Can

a breaking point. "Just calm down. I'll double-check everything," Floyd

hurry, and Isaiah soon followed, keeping a discreet distance. The tracking device showed Floyd heading towards a lab, confirming Isaiah's suspicions

in a black mask noted, stepping away from

Floyd removed a tracking device and tossed it aside, puzzled. "If you knew he was

a glance.

be anything less than vigilant? His suspicion alone proves he's not

elbet

just confirm his suspicions. No, if they're