The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne nodded in agreement. “It’s puzzling. Why did F-Poison tell Flynn about my mom being taken? Was there

anything else he mentioned?”

“Alright, I'll take care of it,” Percival replied before dialing up Thomas.

Soon, Thomas had arranged for Karen to visit Flynn.

“Percival, there's another thing - Gillian’s back.”

Percival furrowed his brow. “She’s back already?”

“Yeah, the higher-ups say the surveillance footage involving Gillian doesn’t prove much. They're calling it a

professional mishap, gave her a mark on her record, and she’s back.”

Hearing this, Percival almost crushed his phone in frustration.

Hundreds were injured, Soren and Astrid were still unconscious, and Leopold and Anna were unable to walk

without stitches.

Just a professional mishap?

Through the phone, Thomas could feel Percival’s anger but continued, “However, Vance has stripped Gillian of

her authority. She shouldn't be causing trouble anymore, or at least, she’s lost the capacity to do so.”

Percival took a breath. “Fine, | got it.”

Karen went to the secret prison alone, while Vivienne stayed with Percival at the YQ Research Center.

Vivienne had a new idea she wanted to try out.

Inside the prison, the darkness was as oppressive as ever.

Through the monitor, Karen saw Scott grading papers while Flynn was still curled up in pain on the floor.

After a thorough check, Karen walked in.

“Boss, be careful. I'll wait outside for you,” Thomas stood guard at the door.

Although nothing should happen, Thomas was still worried. After all, who could feel secure with the current state

of Vanguard Agency?

Karen nodded and entered.

By now, Flynn had regained his composure, his clothes soaked with sweat, as he sat blankly on the ground.

Seeing Karen enter, Flynn was startled, then let out a laugh.

Karen narrowed her eyes. “Long tno see.”

Flynn's laughter stopped. “We haven't met before, have we? I've seen your daughter many times, though. She

used to call‘Uncle Flynn.” | wonder what she callsnow.”

“Criminal.” Karen sat down, a faint smile on her face.

Flynn took a deep breath. “You're here to ask about my mentor, aren’t you? | heard there were quite a few

interesting stories when he took you away. Do you remember any of them?”

Karen's voice was cool and detached. “I don’t remember. Care to enlighten me?”

Flynn stood up and walked to the bars, sizing Karen up, an unreadable look in his eyes.

“Girls change a lot as they grow. I'm curious to see what Vivienne will look like when she’s your age.”

Karen suddenly stood, a strange feeling stirring deep within her, yet she couldn't put her finger on it.

The statement felt familiar, yet she couldn't recall why.

Flynn ignored Karen's surprise and lay back on his bed.

“Do you know Willa well? Are you two close? When can | meet her? Isn't she curious aboutat all? After all,

I'm the only person in this world who's had contact with her father.”

Karen slowly regained her composure and sat back down, “Perhaps you are the second one.”

Flynn's swinging leg paused, then resumed its motion. “That janitor from Scepter University? He's still alive,

huh?”

Karen nodded. “Of course, thanks to your master, isn't it?”

After a moment, Flynn huffed, “Right, he should live well, live for my master, watch the world change every day,

record it diligently, and then burn it for him.”

Karen glanced at him dispassionately. “Those in hell don’t receive the sentiments from the living.”

Flynn was silent for a few seconds, then slowly sat up against the headboard, the sweat stains on his body

almost gone.

“You're right. What's the use of sentiment when you're in hell?”

Karen didn’t want to engage in meaningless chatter with Flynn and asked directly, “Why did F-Poison save that

janitor?”

Flynn hummed thoughtfully for a moment, then said lightly, “Probably for rebirth, | guess.”

Karen frowned. “Rebirth?”

“Yeah, haven't you read those time-travel ? The protagonist dies tically, unwilling to let go of their

unfulfilled dreams, so they make a deal with God, cback with a system, and start a charmed life!”

Karen knew Flynn was toying with her, but for sreason, she felt there was more to his words.

Suddenly, the prison door opened, and Thomas's voice could be heard arguing with someone.

“I told you someone's visiting here. What's your problem?” Thomas's voice was deep and angry, seemingly

holding back intense fury.

A voice filled with defiance and arrogance retorted, “I need to transfer a high-risk prisoner now. This is a secret

prison; what kind of riff-raff have you let in? Thomas, watch it, or I'll file a complaint against you!”

At that, Thomas's eyes narrowed, and a chill emanated from him. He stepped forward, closing the distance to

Gillian, and then, with a swift move, he grabbed her by the throat, his voice as cold as ice. “Want to die? | can

oblige you right now!”

He was truly enraged!Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

The last mission could have avoided casualties among the Vanguard Agency team, but Gillian had used her

influence to pressure them. The mission was critical, and he had agreed with Vance to bring Gillian along.

He intended to keep Gillian under his watchful eye, better than allowing her to stab them in the back unseen.

But he never expected that right under his watch, she would cause a catastrophic loss by opening the speakers.

He had been berating himself for days. If he had been more assertive, none of this would've happened. This

mess was Gillian’s fault, and he had to accept his share of the blame, too.

So, to avoid wrecking Percival and Vivienne’s plans, he kept his cool and didn’t go after Gillian. But now, he had

reached his breaking point!

Gillian could die a hundred times, and it wouldn't bring back his teammates.

Gillian’s face was turning tomato red as she was gasping for air, her hand desperately clutching at Thomas's

grip. “Let go, let go of me! If you kill me, the higher-ups won't let you off the hook. You'll be facing a court-

martial!”

Thomas applied more pressure, his voice icy. “Scared? Me?”

At that moment, Karen stepped outside and caught sight of Gillian, her face contorted and uglier than ever under

Thomas's choke hold.

Karen just glanced over and called out, “Thomas!”

Hearing her, Thomas's rage-filled expression softened a bit, and he released Gillian, turning respectfully to

Karen. “Boss, are you done?”

Karen nodded. “Yeah, who's this?”

Thomas lowered his eyelids in distaste and muttered, “Gillian Ashford.”