The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The lead detective's expression softened a bit, acknowledging the logic in the argument before him, and began to unhook the keys from his belt, ready to step forward.

Just as he moved, a young officer tugged at his sleeve, "You're actually buying this? Who knows if they're trying to trick us. This one's a serious felon. If he uses this chance to escape, who do we answer to?" However, the prisoners didn't see it that way, "Even if someone's a serious felon, they still have rights, don't they? And with all these cops around, do you really think he could make a break for it from the station?" Even in a place as tightly guarded as the precinct, with who knows how many eyes watching.

Thinking someone could escape from here was like believing in fairy tales! The lead detective shrugged off his colleague's hand, "They're right. Especially because he's a serious felon, we need to be careful. If something happens to him, scases could end up without any evidence." "But wait a second..." The young officer tried to interject, but his colleague had already moved to unlock the cell.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, and he stomped his foot in frustration and hurried after him.

The officer who unlocked the cell had already approached Kipling, "Hey, wake up. You awake?" "I told you he was out," the young officer mumbled, still not convinced. Seeing that Kipling wouldn't respond, he was about to pull his colleague away when suddenly Adam sprang to his feet.

His expression shifted from serious to urgent, "Call an ambulance! Someone's been poisoned. Hurry, call an ambulance!" In the hospital corridor outside the surgery room, Leopold, accompanied by Vivienne and Percival, faced the weary, furrow-browed Chief of the Station.

Kipling was their key to unlocking the secrets of an ancient warrior lineage, and Percival had made arrangements with the local law enforcement to be notified immediately of any developments.

They had thought that with Gavin's cautious nature, he'd at least wait for Harrison's trial to conclude before making a move.

Yet, less than a day had passed before trouble arose.

Percival's face darkened with a question, "What happened?" Chief Chad, sweating profusely, found himself at a loss for words under Percival's interrogation.

He was puzzled himself.

Having an incident under his watch was the last thing he needed, making his superiors doubt his competence.

As he wiped the sweat from his brow and turned his piercing gaze towards Adam, he demanded, "You were on duty today. Tell me, how did this happen?!" Adam, lips pressed tightly together, bowed his head, "It all happened so suddenly, sir. As you know, our meals and everything else here are standardized. If there was an issue, it shouldn't have just affected him. Could it be a coincidence?" "A coincidence?" Leopold scoffed, "What kind of coincidence results in only Kipling getting food poisoning, out of everyone in the precinct?" Although Leopold often seemed carefree, as a former key operative under Percival at the Vanguard Agency, his presence was not easily ignored.

Adam kept his head down, his neck aching but not daring to lift it.

Percival's cold voice commanded, "Look at me." Despite not knowing Percival's status, Adam sensed the authority in his voice, especially given Chad's deference, and slowly raised his head.

With just a glance, Percival could tell Adam wasn't involved, "Were you the only one on duty today?" Adam answered, "No, there was another guard, Keith." Chad paused, his gaze sweeping the room.

His bushy eyebrows knit together as he pushed Adam, "This is crucial information, and you're only mentioning it now?! Where's Keith?!" Adam, pushed back by his superior, shook his head, indicating he didn't know: "I was focused on getting Kipling to the hospital; I didn't see if he followed." Leopold's expression changed at this, "Damn, that kid might have bolted." "It's impossible!" Adam immediately countered, "Keith is one of my best. He once risked disciplinary action to save an elderly couple from abuse in the Littleton case. He wouldn't hurt Kipling." Chad, not very familiar with Keith, felt like kicking ssense into Adam, "Whether it's him or not, you need to bring him in today! If anything happens to Kipling, do you think you can bear the responsibility?!" Percival's dark eyes glanced at the surgery room as the red light turned off, "Leopold, go with him. If Keith isn't at the precinct or his home, issue a warrant!" "Got it." Adam opened his mouth to protest, but Leopold, following Percival's orders, dragged him out before he could argue, "Enough. I know you care about your men, but let's move. The sooner we find him, the sooner we can clear his name." S Adam, realizing the truth in those words, followed without further objection.

As the elevator doors closed, the surgery room doors opened, and Vivienne emerged in scrubs, "He was poisoned with a synthetic toxin, A touch could cause unbearable pain. Without immediate intervention, he wouldn't have lasted three hours." Chad, feeling a chill, asked, "Is he going to make it?" Vivienne removed her mask, "He was brought in time. He's been moved to intensive care." Chad sighed in relief, his worry dissipating, "That's good. Ms. Hawthorn, your skills are remarkable, almost miraculous." Percival stepped forward to take her coat, tossing it into a bin, "I'll have someone watch over Kipling. You should rest. We can't afford any delays at tomorrow's hearing.' Tired as she was, Vivienne allowed Percival to escort her back to the car, grateful for a moment to breathe.

On the way back, Vivienne had her eyes closed, her head resting on Percival's shoulder.

Her eyelids were heavy with sleep, yet her mind was oddly alert, "Gavin's panicking." Percival's cheek brushed against Vivienne's soft hair, "Good, we want him on the edge. It's when he's calm that we should worry." Vivienne turned her gaze towards the window, "Still, even now, he hasn't played his trump card." Outside the car window, the sky was still shrouded in the cloak of predawn darkness.

The city's neon lights devoured much of the darkness, yet patches of night remained impenetrable. Vivienne watched the scenery outside, her eyes deep with thought, pondering over unknowns.

Percival's slender fingers gently stroked her head, his voice deep and soothing, "No rush. His trump card, it will cto light sooner or later." Vivienne hummed in response, not saying more, and fell asleep in Percival's embrace.