The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Blinking her eyes, Anna felt that Zelda was unusually enthusiastic today.

She glanced at Vivienne, seeking help, and Vivienne shot her a knowing look that said, “Girl, my aunt

fancies you as a niece-in-law.”

Anna nearly choked on her drink. She was too young to be shackled by the chains of arranged dating!

No way, not happening!

Seeing Anna’s pleading eyes, Vivienne kindly excused her, breaking the tension.

Zelda, aware that Vivienne had serious matters to discuss, didn’t press further, content to wait until they

were finished.

“Actually, my junior brother isn’t too shabby. Why not give him a shot?” Vivienne teased, playfully

tipping Anna’s chin.

Anna blushed. “Ms. Vivienne, when did you start being so cheeky?”

“Picked it up from our Mr. Wolf.”

Percival, who had just walked in, paused upon hearing this.

What? Was he really that cheeky?

Anna quickly changed the subject when she saw Percival return. “Mr. Ellington, Herman mentioned you

were looking for me. What’s up?”

Percival sat down next to Vivienne and said, “You’re about to graduate from Elite University, right?

Applied for grad school yet?”

Anna nodded. “Yeah, just haven’t had the chance to take the exams; been swamped with training

assignments lately.”

“Go for it, stick close to Aaron.”

It took Anna a moment to remember who Aaron was. “Stick close to him for what?”

It was then that Vivienne chimed in, “Aaron’s been dealing with the Brooks family lately, investigating

the bionic biotech related to F-Poison. Assist him. There’s a Mara close to him with dubious intentions;

just keep an eye on her discreetly; don’t blow your cover.”

Anna understood but still felt uneasy. “Ms. Vivienne, Noah is with GTO. They must know I’m with

Vanguard Agency. Gillian even saw me at the training grounds today. Won’t this raise their suspicions?”

Vivienne smiled. “It will. And they’ll wonder if you’re there to investigate Aaron or Mara. Basically, you’ll

be shrouded in mystery, and many will watch you. Be careful.”

Anna burst into laughter at this. She relished this kind of game. “Mission accepted.”

…

At Mara’s house.

Mara was looking at herself in the mirror, wondering if it was her imagination or if her scars really didn’t

look as horrific as before.

Then, the door burst open.

A mud-covered Gillian strode in.

Mara jumped, retreating with a pillow in hand. “What… What have you done to yourself? Stay back,

don’t dirty my clothes!”

Gillian lunged at her, pinning her to the floor, and repeatedly smacked her face.

“Did you keep an eye on Vivienne like I asked? No progress in all this time. Have you been taking my

words for granted?”

Mara was dazed from the blows. “What are you on about? I’ve told you everything, and Vivienne’s

coming over tomorrow. What’s the deal?”

Pushing Gillian off, Mara wiped her face in disgust. “What’s gotten into you?”

Gillian regained some sanity. “Tomorrow, I need results. I want Aaron under your control, got it?”

Mara sensed Gillian’s madness and nodded. “Got it.”

The next morning, Vivienne arrived at Mara’s house as promised.

Mara greeted her warmly. “Vivienne, you’re here! I’ve prepared some fruit tea for you. Try it.”

Vivienne eyed the brew. It was indeed fruit tea, nothing extra added.

Taking a sip, Vivienne asked casually, “Bedroom or living room?”

“The bedroom.” Mara laughed awkwardly, leading Vivienne into the room.

When the anticipated pain hit, Mara rolled wildly on the bed. This episode was more intense than

before; she even ran amok in the room, breaking things.

Vivienne sat by, quietly observing the spectacle.

This time, the pain wasn’t as bad as before. Was Mara’s dramatics serving another purpose?

Then a voice came from outside. “Mara, are you okay?”

Vivienne raised an eyebrow; it was Aaron. What was he doing here again?

Mara flung open the door, and Aaron stepped in. The sight of the disheveled room and Mara’s sweat-

drenched face left him in shock.

Aaron steadied Mara, turning to Vivienne in confusion. “What’s going on? Vivienne, is she alright?”

Leaning back in her chair with her legs crossed, Vivienne replied nonchalantly, “She’s fine.”

Mara suddenly shoved Aaron away, throwing him into the bedroom and dashing out. And “accidentally,”

the door shut behind her.

Click. The door locked.

Aaron was stunned and tried the handle, but it wouldn’t budge.

“Vivienne, this…” Aaron looked at her, at a loss.

Vivienne was relaxed, “If you can’t get out, just stay put. It’s not like there’s anything to do. She’ll be

over it in an hour.”

She was curious to see what new tricks Mara had up her sleeve.

Aaron pursed his lips, his gaze falling on Vivienne.

She was always untouchable, like Venus herself, no matter when he saw her.

Sitting down, with only a tiny sofa in Mara’s room, Aaron had no choice but to take a seat on the bed.

Outside, Mara caught her breath. She touched her cheek; it was indeed less painful than before, within

her threshold of tolerance.

Glancing at the tightly closed door, Mara thought, “Vivienne, just you wait! After today, you won’t be

able to untangle yourself from Aaron!”

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