The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival plugged the USB drive into his tablet, and his eyes narrowed with surprise as a video played before him.

The video depicted the exact scene where Percival was currently seated, but instead of him, it was a woman without a face! Her figure was identical to F-Poison’s! She wore wireless earbuds and was reciting the exact words that had echoed over the cliff earlier that day.

There was no doubt about it - she was F-Poison! The video continued until the moment the android exploded, and F-Poison’s tablet smoked and shattered.

Afterward, she swiftly fled the scene, vanishing without a trace.

Yet, throughout the video, there was no sign of Noah.

Vance watched Percival finish the video and said slowly, “I only ever told Noah about this apartment. But | also told him that you had discovered my extensive property investments and knew all my secrets.” Percival set the tablet down. So, Noah wanted to exploit this leak to ultimately clear his own name.

Either Vance would take the fall for him, or all the blwould be dumped on Percival! Elsewhere, F-Poison strapped on a new mask, the corners of her eyes heavy with fury as she stared at her reflection.

“Boss, Karen somehow survived. What's going on here?” F-Poison struck out in anger. “You're asking me? Who the hell should | ask? After all these years of funding you, you can’t even handle one little girl!” Noah spat out blood, his aged body unable to withstand x] powerful slap.

Struggling, he slowly rose from the ground. “My mistake. | personally confirmed Karen's death. | never imagined she'd fake it, just like Ulysses Sheldon, playing dead.” “You're useless! Our bionic secrets are out, and we can’t let Karen and her damned daughter find any more leads!” F-Poison barked with a strong hint of rage in her eyes, which then settled into a dark chuckle.

“How intriguing. Karen is intriguing, and her daughter even more so. Alright, then. I'll entertain them, play their little game. | want to see what tricks Karen has up her sleeve!” Noah, with a half-raised brow, saw the sinister look in the mirror and bowed his head.

No matter how much tpassed, those eyes still sent a shiver down his spine.

Noah returned to his place, his mind increasingly restless.

Adding up the years, he had been with the Vanguard Agency since he was twenty, fighting alongside Yorick until now, retiring and being rehired, nearly sixty years in total.

He never thought he could last this long.

Noah frowned deeply, gazing at the two photographs on the coffee table.

One was a picture with Yorick; the other was of his three apprentices gathered around him, his chest adorned with a Medal of Honor.

Noah stared deeply at Karen's face in the photo.

Her smiling lips, bright eyes, and her voice echoed in his ears, “Master, I'll be your daughter, your personal little comfort!” Noah closed his eyes and slammed the photograph face down on the table.

“Karen, why didn’t you just die for real!” At a tavern in Rivenwood.

Vance summoned Micah to a private room.

“What do you want?” Micah asked impatiently, sitting across from Vance.

Vance half-closed his eyes and spoke seriously, “I know we've never gotten along. When Karen was alive, you fought together against me. After her death, you showed no mercy. If it were not for our mentor’s sake, we'd have cut ties long ago.” “Are you dying of cancer?” Micah asked with furrowed brows.

Vance exhaled silently. “In the entire Vanguard Agency, the only person | trust besides Karen is you.” Micah looked at Vance as if he had never truly known the man before him, “At your age, can you stop with the nauseating talk?” “Micah, I'm serious!” Vance banged the table, “Will you letfinish?” “Go on,” Micah relaxed, ready to listen.

Vance continued, “Regarding the cliff side explosion, | have a suspect, someone only you and | can investigate.” Micah finally sat up straight, “I've read the report Thomas submitted on the explosion. Diana kidnapped Vivienne and Zelda, a dispute led to the blast, and F-Poison’s trace was at the scene. What else have you found?” “Noah.” Micah paused, “What did you say?” “I suspect Noah is a mole for GTO. The explosion was caused by explosive particles in Vanguard Agency's firearms, leading to chaos at the scene. And those firearms were approved by Noah.” “Bullshit!” Micah slammed his hand down, shattering the table's edge, “Have you gone mad with ambition? Now you suspect our mentor!” Vance faced Micah’s rage with a calm gaze and firm tone, “I swear on my honor, my suspicions are founded.

Micah, there's something off about Noah!” “Go to hell. Do you even have any honor?” Micah overturned his chair and stormed out in fury.

Just as he reached the door, he saw someone standing there.

Upon recognizing the face before him, Micah incredulously stepped back.

“You... you're... Lark!” Karen stepped in, closing the door behind her, a beautiful curve on her lips. “Micah, long tno see.” Vance was clearly not expecting to see his long-deceased comrade here. He had thought it would be Percival.

Karen then turned her gaze to Vance, sizing him up, “Director Vance, it seems even high status can’t change your sleazy aura.” In their youth, Karen often mocked Vance’s sleaziness, leaving the big man speechless.

It was always Noah who intervened, bringing peace.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Vance couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia as he heard those words once again.

Micah rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Karen was alive! “Knock it off, Micah. What, you got cataracts too?” Karen chided with a look of disdain.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Micah went in for a hug, his gesture driven by intense emotion rather than romance.

He gripped Karen's shoulders, eyes scanning her face. “Boss, is it really you? You're back for real? You didn’t die!” Karen nodded. “Yeah, I'm still kicking.” Back in their boot camp days, Karen and Micah had faced off in a legendary sparring match. Micah, who had once been the reigning boxing champ, got completely outclassed by Karen. From that moment on, he was her loyal sidekick, always calling her “Boss” and following her lead without question.

Vance sauntered over and pinched Micah’s cheek.

“Ouch, damn it!” Micah cursed, “You out of your mind?!” Vance, still in a daze, barely registered Micah’s complaint. “It’s really you, Lark. You're alive!” Karen let out a laugh. “Cut the reunion short. We've got serious stuff to talk about. | was there at the blast last week.”