The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne was testing whether the chip could integrate with the human body through ionic fusion, eventually solidifying within and migrating with the flow of blood.

She had been wracking her brain for a suitable test subject, even considering the drastic measure of extracting Fiona from a high-security federal penitentiary.

But then Mara walked right into her lap, a perfect volunteer. When Mara had begged Vivienne for treatment, she agreed to any terms set forth. Even the prospect of being a human guinea pig did not deter her.

So Vivienne wasn’t about to pull her punches. If she did not conduct this experiment on, the powers behind Mara would not hesitate to find another way to make it happen. Better to be the one in control, she figured.

“Keep your face dry for the rest of the day,” Vivienne instructed as she gathered her belongings, ready to leave.

“I'll check back in a week.” Mara caught her arm. “Wait, what exactly are you experimenting with? Can you tell me?” Vivienne considered for a moment. “It’s a biotechnological study on quantum entanglement and GPS phenomena analysis. Does that make sense to you?” Mara blinked, completely lost. Her school days were spent just sliding by, barely scraping into Elite University.

This scientific jargon was like a foreign language.

“Forget it. It's over my head,” Mara sighed, figuring she would just relay Vivienne's words to Gillian so she would stop asking her about it every day.

Vivienne left with a small smile.

Downstairs, Aaron greeted Vivienne with concern.

“Is everything wrapped up?” he asked.

Vivienne nodded briskly, pausing to offer a piece of advid@ aaron, know what you should and shouldn't meddle with.” Aaron looked taken aback. “I can explain...” “No need,” Vivienne cut him off, turning to leave. She had another chip prototype to perfect and no tfor Aaron's love life dramas. She didn’t mind as long as Mara did not beg to be killed, and she was only angry because Aaron was blind.

Vivienne was disappointed because Aaron was so quickly seduced by Mara in just a few days, completely unacceptable as the leader of the Miller family. She had wondered why Aaron’s improvements were so slow, and it turned out it was because his attention was elsewhere! Aaron watched Vivienne go, at a loss. He had never seen her so upset.

Collapsing onto the couch, Aaron was overwhelmed with regret.

Mara descended the staircase, a smirk playing on her lips as she observed Aaron’s dejection.

“Everything okay, Aaron?” she asked, offering him a Coke - Vivienne’s favorite, if she recalled correctly.

Aaron’s mood darkened further, slapping Mara’s hand away. “Why did you deliberately make her misunderstand me?” Feigning surprise, Mara said, “Aaron, Vivienne is the girl you like?” Aaron wavered, guilty. Mara, playing the understanding big sister, reassured him. “It's perfectly normal to like her. She's like a goddess among mortals. It’s no wonder if every guy falls for her.” She pulled Aaron down back on the sofa and continued, “Liking someone isn’t something you should be ashamed of.” “But Vivienne is...” “Forget about Percival. | think you and Vivienne are a much better match.” “Are you serious?’ Aaron's eyes sparkled as she looked at Mara.

“Of course. You two are about the sage, and | heard from Kenneth that you've known each other for years.

You knew her and liked her before Percival. The only reason they're together is because Percival took advantage of the tyou two were separated.” Aaron could not agree more. He had always felt it unfair how Percival won Vivienne’s heart before him, although he knew and liked her longer than Percival did. Plus, Percival was so old he could be Vivienne’s uncle! Aaron had never cto terms with this, but no one ever took his side or understood him. As tpassed, he began to subconsciously think that he was the paramour.

Mara tapped his shoulders and said, “Aaron, you know what | think? | think you might have a spot in Vivienne’'s heart, only she doesn’t realize it. Plus, Percival has her so wrapped around his fingers that she has lost sight of her true feelings. You don’t know this, but just because of how | sounded so intimate with you earlier, she threw a hit fit atupstairs.” “Really?” Aaron could not believe it.

“Of course. Why would | lie? To be frank, | don’t think my cousin and Vivienne are compatible. If possible, | think you should be together with Vivienne.” “Are you saying that you're willing to help me?” Mara nodded. “Yes. I'll help you.”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Inside, Mara sneered at how easily Aaron took the bait. It seemed that sowing discord between Aaron and Vivienne would be more of a breeze than she had anticipated.

Meanwhile, Vivienne was off to the YQ Research Center, where Percival was overseeing the development of the latest chip prototype.

By the tVivienne cover to inject the “soul” into the chip, a week had passed, and the fully formed chip could be taken out, converted, and then implanted into Mara’s body.

“How's it coming along?” Vivienne approached, now donned in a white lab coat, her hair swept up into a practical bun at the back of her head.

Percival turned around and was struck by such a look.

Something deep inside him felt like it had been hit hard, as if a surge of electricity shot straight to his brain.

Vivienne, oblivious to Percival’s transfixed gaze, walked straight to the machinery. “The synthesis has gone well.

I'll add a bonus to your paycheck.” After a long wait, when Vivienne didn’t get a response from Percival, she paused, turned her head, and saw him looking at her with an infatuated expression.

His gaze was so intense it was as if it could penetrate her.

Vivienne let out a chuckle, walked over, and wrapped her arms around Percival’s neck.

Her body coiled around his like a vine, pressing tightly against him. “Mr. Wolf, what are you looking at?”