The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Astrid gave a curt nod. “Yes, Alfred has confessed. We detected a virus in his system, which, according to him, is called ST-0. Apparently, it’s a mandatory injection for all members of their spy ring. This virus alters their genetic makeup, enabling them to slip through searches undetected.” No wonder Astrid had never suspected Alfred during their courtship. His genetics had been altered.

ST-0 was obviously a precursor to ST-1. Both involved genetics! Astrid continued, “Vivienne, looks like we're back in the game together.” Vivienne chuckled. “Yeah, teaming up again. Time to bring down this spy network once and for all!” “And Benjamin...” “Leave Benjamin to me. I'll get what | need from him, and then he’ll be all yours by tomorrow morning. Someone will be in touch.” Astrid understood. “Alright, I'll await your update.” In the Nine Mystics Society’s interrogation room.

Benjamin gradually came to, realizing he was strung up from the ceiling, his feet dangling above a bubbling cauldron.

He recoiled in shock. “This is torture! | demand human rights!” Matthew strolled in, smirking at Benjamin's outcry. “Human rights? For a spy like you?” Benjamin, no longer hiding his true colors, retorted, “Don’t prisoners of war get decent treatment? You'll regret this!” The next moment, a lash from Matthew's whip cut J > FE body without mercy. “You think this is a place for pleasantries? Don’t you know who | am? Spill it—who put you up to selling those cameras?” The sting of the whip nearly sent Benjamin into the afterlife, and he quickly realized he wasn’t dealing with the usual authorities.

Slick had set him up! “I'll talk, I'll talk.” He could posture all he wanted with the official agencies, but against this rough justice, silence could be deadly.

“It’s Dracon Linklater. He had me steal the Brooks family’s cameras to leak bionic tech secrets, all for profit. He paid me handsomely, and | was going to run with the money, but then you caught me. I'm telling the truth!” Matthew, frustrated he couldn't justify another lash, sat down, deflated.

This Benjamin really had no backbone, spilling the beans after just one whip. Clearly, GTO did not train their agents well at all. If it were him, he would never betray his organization! “Got any proof?” “Absolutely! | recorded every meeting with him on those cameras, got the videos to prove it.” Sighing, Matthew ordered Benjamin to be cut down.

Benjamin thought he was being set free, thanking Matthew profusely, “Thank you, boss. Does this mean | can go?” Matthew nodded. “Sure, someone's here to pick you up.” As Astrid and her team entered, she greeted him, “Old-F, if you please.” Realizing his fate was still in the hands of the intelligence bureau, Benjamin sat down in defeat.

Astrid took Benjamin away for an overnight interrogation. He spilled everything, including his dealings with Dracon and previous hideouts.

Time was scarce. If GTO discovered Benjamin's capture, they might flee. Thus, Astrid immediately mobilized her team and messaged Vivienne.

On the road, Astrid received a call from Vance.

“Top brass has ordered Vanguard Agency to assist in capturing the GTO spy ring,” Vance stated.

“Appreciated.” Astrid and Vance quickly agreed to cooperate, and the entire Vanguard Agency was on the move. The mission was so sudden that nobody knew the details, not even Gillian, who voiced her confusion to Vance as he, Micah, and Thomas were discussing tactics.

“What's going on here?” Thomas was the first to retort. “Gillian, this isn’t your concern.” “But | must report all Vanguard Agency activities to the higher-ups. Captain Thomas, remember that everything here goes through me!” Vance slammed the file on the table. “Gillian, are you after my director's chair too?” Startled, Gillian clarified, “No, but | have to be on this mission, Vance. You can’t deny that.” Vance cursed under his breath at the meddling higher-ups. “Fine, you're in. But any slip-ups and it's on you.” Thomas wanted to object, but a shake of Micah’s head silenced him. Gillian, being from headquarters, was an unavoidable addition to the mission.

Despite successfully joining the mission, Gillian still had no idea what this mission was about. Thus, she could only silently follow the others.

Vanguard Agency, in conjunction with the intelligence bureau, swiftly surrounded the location Benjamin had provided. Infrared cameras revealed bombs inside, akin to the notorious “Morning Glory.” Thomas immediately gave the order. “First squad, send scouts to assess the bomb layout. Second squad, provide cover. We need them alive!” Soren and Leopold each led their respective teams as they embarked on their mission under the cloak of darkness.

On the outskirts, Vivienne peered through her binoculars, keeping a vigilant eye on every move in the area.

The agents of the Nine Mystics Society were all in position, ready to catch any stragglers that might slip through the net.

Anna, the leader of the vanguard squad, guided her team of ten as they stealthily approached the enemy stronghold. With her trusty scanner in hand, she pinpointed the general direction of the several “Morning Glory.” She flashed a series of hand signals to her team, instructing them to disperse and begin defusing the bombs.

Back in the command vehicle, Gillian scrutinized the large screen and demanded, “What exactly are you all doing out there?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

“Shut your trap,” Thomas snapped, pressing his earpiece, “Anna, you've got thirty seconds—make it count!” “Roger that,” Anna responded.

The stronghold resembled a high-walled Holiday Resort, its exterior fortifications as imposing as the ancient walls of a bygone era.

The main entrance was grand but locked tight in the dead of night; a small gazebo with a tiny window stood guard, devoid of any revealing light, leaving it uncertain whether anyone was on watch.

According to Benjamin's intel, there was a secret passage known only to insiders.

Anna and her team crept towards this hidden path, the darkness within swallowing them whole. Their mission was of the utmost secrecy; even the slightest disturbance was to be avoided at all costs.

The squad couldn't risk using any light sources; instead, they relied on touch and intuition to navigate.

Their sole guide was the memory of an infrared-simulated map they had studied before. Using this recollection, they made their way toward the bomb, ready to execute its silent disarmament.