The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In a clandestine surveillance room somewhere.

Calista’s wrists were bound by handcuffs, surrounded by stark white walls that seamlessly blended with

the door. A shiver ran down her spine, and fear pounded in her heart.

She had been knocked unconscious by Percival and when she came to, she found herself trapped in

this sterile cell, too terrified to resist.

Had her research on the viruses been discovered? Would that mean the death penalty?

No, it couldn’t be!

Lost in thought, Calista was jolted back to reality by the sound of the door unlocking. Her eyes widened

in alarm as she watched the door intently.

Soon after, a figure in a black trench coat entered the room. It was Mr. B, who tossed a key toward her

without a word.

It was the key to her cuffs.

“Mr. B, what’s going on? Where am I? Do I still have to return to the lab?”

Before she could get her bearings, Calista was met with a slap that sent her tumbling to the floor.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as the blow nearly knocked her out.

“Fool, who gave you permission to collaborate with Fiona behind our backs?” Mr. B’s voice was harsh

and undisguised. There was no need for pretense anymore; Calista’s identity had been exposed, and

from now on, she could only operate under strict surveillance.

Calista was stunned. Mr. B was a woman?

Mr. B removed her hat, revealing Astrid’s familiar face, the disguise still in place, “Tell me, where is

Boar Poison?”

Calista, regaining her senses, was shocked to see Mr. B’s true appearance.

“You’re Vivienne’s sister!”

Mr. B merely rolled her eyes, “Answer my question.”

Swallowing hard, Calista dared not ask further, “I… I don’t know. Fiona didn’t give me Boar Poison. She

said she’d hand it over at the critical moment for me to use on Vivienne. Today, I didn’t receive it.”

Mr. B ground her molars in frustration.

She had thought this might be the moment to seize Boar Poison, but Fiona had hidden it well.

Their past transactions involving vital goods for GTO had always depended on Fiona’s dealings.

They had assumed Fiona was working alone, never suspecting she had an organization backing her,

one with the capability to acquire Boar Poison.

For years, GTO had been unable to replicate Boar Poison, especially since Karen’s research had been

largely destroyed and couldn’t be continued.

Now that Boar Poison had resurfaced, GTO was determined to acquire it.

Glancing at Calista on the floor, Mr. B reached out a hand.

Confused, Calista hesitated before placing her hand in Mr. B’s.

With a fierce yank, Calista felt as though her arm might rip from its socket. The next instant, Mr. B had

her by the neck, “Calista, do you know why I’ve spared you?”

A shudder ran through Calista. The gentle face before her inspired a deep-seated terror, “I… I don’t

know.”

Mr. B’s fingers tightened around Calista’s throat, “I value your medical expertise. If you can’t produce

the Boar Poison within a month, your life becomes expendable.”

Calista felt a chill run through her. She was playing with fire, one false step from annihilation.

“I will, I’ll develop it, I’ll definitely get it done.”

A revolting smell wafted up from below, and with a few dripping sounds, Mr. B disgustedly threw Calista

aside.

“TCL is no longer an option for you. You’ll be taken to your new lab, remember, you only have one

month.”

After wiping her hands disdainfully, Mr. B turned and left.

Calista lay crumpled in a puddle of foul liquid, shedding tears of regret. Her remorse was beyond

words. If only she had known Vivienne was Specter Healer, she never would have crossed her. Now,

she couldn’t even return to the TCL lab.

…

At TCL Labs.

Percival had brought Vivienne inside.

“Mr. Percy,” lab assistant Holden approached, “The director’s not here, and we’re not allowed in his

lab.”

Percival nodded, “Carry on with your work.”

Holden said no more, casting a sidelong glance at the hat-wearing woman behind Percival, his heart

skipping a beat.

Such a beautiful woman! But who would dare to look twice at Mr. Percy’s guest?

Knowing better, Holden averted his eyes.

Percival led Vivienne to Calista’s office door, which now sported a new lock.

Pulling out a magnetic card from nowhere, he slid it through the reader and with a beep, the door

unlocked.

“Mr. Wolf, you’re full of surprises,” Vivienne teased.

Percival pocketed the card, “It’s a necessary skill when you’re out in the field.”

Vivienne mused about the so-called essential skills at Vanguard Agency, which apparently included

lock-picking!

Percival cracked the door slightly, only to notice a thin tripwire just beneath it. If he hadn’t been

observant, opening the door would have triggered an explosion.

Vivienne’s eyes narrowed, “They’re quick on their feet.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay

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It seemed they had just removed Calista, and the bomb was already in place.

“Holden, evacuate all personnel. Leave everything behind except for crucial data,” Percival ordered,

knowing the gravity of the situation.

Holden didn’t hesitate, quickly leading the lab staff to safety.

Percival’s command was absolute, and no one dared delay.

“Vivienne, step back. I’ve got this,” said Percival, his hand on the doorknob, careful not to make any

large movements.

If the bomb was rigged with a motion-sensitive trigger, one wrong move could spell disaster.

Vivienne raised an eyebrow, “Mr. Wolf, are you sure you’re up to defusing a bomb right now?”

Percival held his breath, “I’ll call Leopold for backup.”

“Did you forget about me?” Vivienne emerged from the lab with a pair of scissors in hand and

approached Percival.

She was petite, just small enough to squeeze through the gap without disturbing the delicate balance.

Percival had to maintain a steady grip on the doorknob as Vivienne stepped forward, her leg crossing

the threshold, bringing them close—so close that her nose brushed against Percival’s cheek.

Suddenly, she flashed a mischievous smile and planted a quick kiss on his face.

“Don’t let it happen again.”

Percival’s breath hitched, nearly losing his grip—a close call to surrendering to the moment.

Vivienne slipped into the office, following the thin wire to the bomb’s location.

Just as Percival had predicted, the bomb was fitted with a balance mechanism.

Even a mere centimeter of door movement could set it off!