The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 1106

"You do it your way, Carly. Just give us a heads up the moment you make any progress. We're severely outnumbered, so brute force isn't an option here," Vivienne cautioned, fully aware of Carly's good intentions but also of her vulnerability.

If Carly were to slip up even slightly, they'd catch her in no time. These folks weren't exactly known for their mercy or restraint. And if they were to catch wind of their plans, even indirectly through Carly, everything would be jeopardized.

With a serious look in her eyes, Vivienne added, "You need to understand how crucial your role is. Be extra careful. We'll check on you every three days under the guise of treating some other illness. That's when you can fill us in on what you've learned."

As she finished her instructions, Vivienne mysteriously produced a pill out of thin air.

Without a moment's hesitation, Carly took the pill and swallowed it whole.

Logan couldn't help but admire Carly's resolve.

Watching Vivienne and Logan walk away, Carly felt as though she was forgetting something important, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She stood there, dazed, long after they had left.

Just as Vivienne was about to step out of the yard, she noticed something odd - Carly's yard lacked a vegetable garden, a detail that nagged at her as they left.

Turning back at the gate, Vivienne asked, "Do you know why you're the only one without a garden? I've visited many homes, and yours is the exception."

Suddenly, Carly remembered what she had forgotten. "Those gardens are all planted with hallucinogens, toxic stuff. Mayor Thompson uses them to keep everyone subdued, like zombies, except for a few who are still adjusting."

"Even the food here is laced with stuff from Mayor Thompson, turning them into the living dead. You not having a garden doesn't raise suspicions?" Logan inquired, pinpointing a critical concern.

Carly shook her head. "They've never suspected me. I've always been seen as somewhat off since my parents died. Over time, they just stopped caring."

This revelation caught Vivienne's attention. Carly had been managing to gather information under the guise of her supposed madness. "Stay sharp in the coming days. We'll need to work together closely," Vivienne said before heading out.

As Logan and Vivienne left Carly's house to visit the next, the neighbors seemed to have been waiting. Their suspicious glances turned into outright confrontation when they saw whom Vivienne and Logan had visited.

"Why did you spend so much time with that lunatic?" the man asked, barely concealing his disdain.