The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

In the dimly lit basement of a house tucked away in the sleepy suburb of Rivenwood, Calista found

herself inexplicably transported to this place, shrouded in darkness.

She huddled on the cold floor, with the constant, eerie sound of dripping water echoing throughout the

room. Each drop seemed to land directly on her heart, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.

The bruises from Mr. B’s beating had not fully healed, and she winced at the occasional twinge of pain.

After what felt like an eternity, punctuated only by drifting in and out of sleep, Calista finally heard

footsteps approaching.

Scrambling to kneel, she began to plead toward the sound, “Mr. B, I’ve done it – I’ve developed the

Boar Poison, just like the sample you gave me. Please, I beg you, let me go!”

Click.

A blinding light suddenly filled the room, causing her to squeeze her eyes shut in pain and fear.

“You’ve got the wrong person, sweetheart. Stand up.”

Calista’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of the voice, not unlike the mechanical tone Mr. B had once

used before dropping her facade.

As her eyes adjusted, she could make out a figure dressed just like Mr. B – a trench coat and a fedora

shadowing his face.

“You’re not Mr. B?” She whispered, disbelief lacing her words.

“I’m the boss, the one she answered to. Call me boss if you like, but I’m not fond of the title. I prefer you

call me F-Poison.”

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F-Poison dusted off her coat nonchalantly. “Ah, got it. You thought I was Belle because of the outfit,

right?”

Despite her terror, Calista could detect a note of amusement in the grating mechanical voice.

F-Poison’s smile was there, but the aura he exuded – one of unflinching ruthlessness – was never

present in Mr. B.

“Belle is Mr. B. I told her that name was too harsh, not fitting for a girl. ‘Clementine’ would’ve been

much cuter. Don’t you agree, Dr. Pendleton?”

F-Poison squatted in front of Calista, seemingly earnest in her inquiry.

“Yes, whatever you say is right…” Calista stuttered, seated on the ground, shivering.

F-Poison nodded approvingly, “That’s my girl. It’s a shame, really. Raising her to be wiped out just like

that.”

Calista’s mind raced. Mr. B – Belle – was dead?

That would explain the sudden change of location.

Swallowing hard, she ventured, “Mr. F, what would you have me do? I am at your service.”

Calista knew her life hung by a thread, useful only for her talents.

Satisfaction was apparent on F-Poison’s face as he patted her head. “Good girl. I do have a task for

you if you’re willing.”

“Willing, I’m willing, Mr. F. Whatever you ask of me!” Calista agreed instantly, her survival instinct

trumping all else.

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“Then brace yourself.”

Before she could react, F-Poison struck her across the face. As Calista fell, her consciousness fading.

She watched F-Poison reshape her features with her fists…

While beating the living hell out of Calista, F-Poison said calmly, “I don’t have a choice. Vivienne

recognizes people by their bones, and a simple disguise won’t work. I have to reshape your bones.”

Feeling the beating and filled with misery, Calista blacked out.

…

At the Ellington family.

The Ellington family was rarely complete, and tonight was an exception. With Fiona in her wheelchair,

brought by Heloise, and even the elusive Kenneth present, there was a sense of occasion.

Percival and Vivienne were the last to arrive, bearing gifts.

“Richard,” Vivienne greeted, sitting beside him as naturally as if she had always belonged there.

Heloise watched with barely veiled jealousy. Even after years of marriage into the family, she had never

dared to claim such intimacy with Richard. Yet here was Vivienne, not even officially part of the family,

and she acted with such familiarity.

“Vivienne, you’ve arrived. Good, now the family’s all here. Once your uncle arrives, we can start

dinner,” Richard announced, clearly delighted at the prospect of seeing his youngest son after so long.

Vivienne caught Kenneth avoiding her gaze, a trace of guilt in his eyes. She paid it no minBooks

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“Dad!” Flynn set down his luggage and embraced Richard. “I’m back!”

Richard clapped his son on the back. “You rascal, finally decided to show up, huh?”

“Dad, Imogen’s here. Let’s not get all mushy,” Flynn said, introducing his girlfriend. “Dad, this is my

girlfriend, Imogen. Sweetheart, this is my father.”

And with that, the Ellington family welcomed a new chapter as laughter and chatter filled the air,

mingling with the clinking of glasses and the warm glow of home.

“Hi, Sir,” Imogen greeted with a sweet smile, yet her gaze drifted involuntarily to Vivienne.

Vivienne felt the look and responded with a subtle, gentle smile.

Flynn playfully punched Percival’s arm. “You rascal, you’ve grown up so fast, and now you’re bringing

home a fiancée!”

Percival chuckled. “This is Vivienne.”

Imogen tugged at Flynn’s wrist, and with an indulgent ruffle of her hair, he said, “I know you’re a huge

fan of Master Charles, and you adore Perfumer Q. You’ve been dying to get her autograph, haven’t

you?”

Vivienne paused, a bit surprised. Her future niece was a fan of hers?

No longer shy, Imogen looked at Vivienne with admiration. “Yes, Master, could you please give me an

autograph? I’ve been an admirer for so long, and now that I’ve finally met you in person, you’re as

beautiful as I imagined.”

Vivienne could not help but laugh at being called “Master.” “Just call me Vivienne, okay?”

“Alright, Vivienne, it is!” Imogen beamed with a laugh.

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Cecilia called to everyone, “Come on in, let’s not just stand around outside. Flynn, you’ve got to

introduce us to Imogen properly.”

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