The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Three companions climbed into the car and soon arrived at the Vanguard Agency’s secret interrogation

room.

Inside, Fiona sat with her eyes downcast, lifeless and detached.

The sound of the door opening barely made her look up, only to drop her gaze once again.

Percival took a seat across from her, his deep-set eyes emotionless as they fixed on her, wordless.

A scoff escaped Fiona’s lips. “Well played, Percival. You’ve bested me.”

Small talk was the last thing on Percival’s mind. He cut to the chase, “Where’s the Boar Poison?”

Fiona stiffened, as if the question coiled around her like a vice. “What are you talking about? I don’t

know!”

He produced a video from the night at Spring Club, “You sat there for three days, and you still can’t

figure it out?”

Her fists clenched tightly. Those were undoubtedly her most humiliating days – unable to move despite

her body’s protests, soaked in her own filth…

Thinking about this, Fiona couldn’t help but feel nauseous.

The disgust and fear in the eyes of the people who found her etched into her memory, unforgettable.

“How did you get that? Why…” Fiona snapped her mouth shut, a flash of realization in her eyes. “It was

Vivienne, wasn’t it?”

Percival didn’t deny it, pressing on, “Where is the Boar Poison?”

Her eyes fell again, “I don’t know.”

Seeing his disbelief, she added, “After purchasing the Boar Poison, I handed it to Mr. B from GTO. You

should be asking him, not me.”

Percival’s frown deepened, his silence hanging heavy in the air.

After a long pause, he stood and left.

As he reached the door, Fiona called out to his retreating figure, “Even without me, Percival, your days

of joy are numbered. Mark my words, you’ll never take over the Ellington legacy!”

For a moment, Percival paused, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile before he continued out

the door.

Vivienne waited in the car outside. Seeing him emerge, she knew he had come up empty-handed.

Behind Fiona, there were others, a third party involved just as the mysterious text had suggested.

For years, Fiona had been using the Ellington Group and Jeffrey’s gallery for shadowy dealings,

trafficking artifacts and expensive artworks. The profits couldn’t be just this meager.

However, Vivienne had yet to uncover this third entity.

Percival got in the car, his mood as dark as thunderclouds, lifting only slightly in Vivienne’s presence.

“Expected outcomes shouldn’t weigh on the heart,” Vivienne said, her fingers lightly massaging

Percival’s temples to ease the tension.

He held her hand in his, looking into her eyes, “I’m fine.”

She nodded, understanding all too well that he was contemplating how to break the news to Richard.

Fiona was Richard’s second favorite granddaughter after Isolde, and he had high hopes for her.

But life often defies expectations. Richard would no doubt be heartbroken once more.

Percival pulled Vivienne close, his lips brushing her forehead in a rare display of affection.

In the driver’s seat, Leopold bit his lip. He said to himself, “Keep calm, don’t get angry! Percival, you

love-struck fool! Must you always be so affectionate with Vivienne? One day, I’ll put an end to this!”

Of course, these were thoughts Leopold would only dare shout within the confines of his mind.

Suddenly, Leopold noticed the van designated for Mr. B’s transfer parked ahead.

“What are they doing here?” he muttered, stepping out to inquire.

Percival and Vivienne exchanged a glance before following Leopold out.

“Captain,” greeted the driver.

Percival’s brow furrowed. “What’s the matter?”

The driver looked confused, “Didn’t you order us here to interrogate Fiona?”

“Who sent you that message!” Percival’s urgency drove him straight to the van’s cabin.

It was empty!

His anger erupted, “Where is he!”

The driver was dumbfounded, “Captain, we were told to release him at the crossroads for a vehicle

switch. He’s long gone.”

“Where did you get the orders?” Percival demanded, his presence as chilling as a glacier.

The men shrank back, “It came through the public screen.”

The public screen served as Vanguard Agency’s communication tool, where Percival usually posted

missions using code names.

The message should have reached everyone.

However, both Percival and Leopold checked their devices, realizing they were the only ones left out.

Percival’s grip tightened with fury.

The public screen was a top agency secret, impenetrable even to elite hackers. Only a select few high-

ranking individuals besides himself had the clearance to use his code.

Who exactly had issued the order to move Mr. B?

At that moment, Thomas sent a message to Percival: [Captain, the subject is conscious.]

Percival pocketed his phone and spoke to Vivienne with as much warmth as he could muster,

“Vivienne, our guest is awake.”

Understanding the gravity of Mr. B’s escape, Vivienne nodded. It was no good news for her either.

“I’ll go alone,” she said, communicating silently that she knew what he was thinking.

Leopold handed her the car keys, and then he joined Percival in the agency’s vehicle.

Vivienne drove off to the hospital alone, where Thomas waited outside. Seeing her arrive solo didn’t

surprise him.

News of Mr. B’s disappearance had likely already circulated throughout the entire department by now.

“Madam, your foster parents are inside, quite beside themselves,” Thomas cautioned.

Vivienne nodded, “Alright, you can go. I’ve got this.”

With an acknowledging murmur, Thomas hurried off. He needed to find Percival, and fast. Today’s

complications weren’t going to resolve themselves easily.

Once Thomas had left, Vivienne lingered at the door for a moment before pushing it open and stepping

inside.

Cordelia was there, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Astrid’s hand. “What in the world is

your job, sweetheart? Weren’t you on vacation? How did things turn out this way? And Alfred… not

even visiting you, it’s just… it’s unacceptable.”

The woman Thomas had rescued was Astrid.

Cordelia was a well of pent-up words and overwhelming concern.

Everything had been fine in the morning, and by the afternoon, her daughter was in a hospital bed,

battered and bruised. How could she not be worried sick?Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join &

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All Astrid could offer were soothing words. “Mom, it was just an accident, please don’t cry. I’m okay,

look, Vivienne’s here now.”

Cordelia dabbed at her tears, “Vivienne, dear, you’re here.”

Vivienne nodded, “Mom, you and dad should head home. The doctor said Astrid needs to rest, and she

shouldn’t be overexerted. I’ll stay with my sister.”

“That’s right, Mom,” Astrid chimed in, “I won’t be able to recover if you keep worrying like this. Please

go back.”

After a great deal of fussing and reluctant goodbyes, Cordelia and Dorian finally left the hospital.

Only later did they realize something peculiar: Vivienne had referred to Astrid as her sister!

Previously, Vivienne had simply called Astrid by her first name.

In the quiet of the hospital room, Vivienne set to work peeling an apple for Astrid. “Don’t worry about

home; I’m there to take care of everything.”

Astrid bit her lower lip, holding back emotions that came flooding out at Vivienne’s words. “Vivienne,

thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done these past weeks.”