The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne) novel Chapter 429

Astrid eyed the laboratory entrance before her, the very threshold of a top-secret national research facility she had once infiltrated with Vivienne.

A sly grin tugged at the corner of her mouth as she pressed the button on the remote.

A gust of wind swept by, yet nothing ensued.

Disbelief etched across Astrid's features as she jabbed the button several more times, her expression darkening with each futile attempt.

Suddenly, she whipped out a gun, spinning around with a swift motion.

Vivienne, along with Percival and Leopold who was bemused, emerged from behind her.

Astrid showed no signs of panic; instead, a calm detachment washed over her.

"Figures, you're not one to fall for tricks so easily," Astrid declared, wielding the gun in one hand while discarding the useless remote with the other.

A flicker of regret crossed her gaze as she looked at Vivienne, "Had you joined us, our victory would've been assured by now."

Vivienne's eyes sparkled with amusement, her smile broad and radiant. "Your disguise is pathetic, Mr. B."

Mr. B, now unmasked as the impostor, gave a nonchalant shrug, making no move to remove his mask, "When did you catch on?"

Vivienne pondered for a moment, "Around the time I stumbled upon Scott, perhaps?"

Vivienne then let out a derisive chuckle, "You were too naive."

Mr. B's eyebrows rose inquisitively, "Impossible. You'd never interacted with me when you blew Scott's cover!"

A laugh escaped Vivienne, "Once wasn't enough?"

Mr. B's pupils constricted, still puzzled.

Before impersonating Astrid to get close to Vivienne, Mr. B had thoroughly researched his target. With the help of Alfred, the bumbling fool, Mr. B knew every minute detail of Astrid's life – from her catchphrases to her subtlest expressions and mannerisms.

Even Cordelia, her own mother, hadn't noticed anything amiss.

How could Vivienne, whom he had met only once, possibly see through him?

Observing Mr. B's expression, Vivienne knew he still hadn’t grasped it.

She glanced at Percival with a touch of exasperation, "Mr. Wolf, I told you they were no fun."

Percival tenderly rubbed her head, showing empathy, "You've worked hard, Vivienne."

Leopold interjected with a note of seriousness, "Can we stay on task, please? This is a mission, not a time for public displays of affection!"

Mr. B clenched his jaw, "That's quite enough, Vivienne."

Vivienne's brows knitted together as she swiftly launched a silver needle from her fingertips.

Mr. B's control over his legs vanished, and with a thud, he knelt helplessly on the ground.

"When I'm speaking with Mr. Wolf, do not interrupt. It displeases me," Vivienne's eyes glinted with a cold edge, adding a chilling beauty to her already enchanting face.

Mr. B gripped his gun tighter but knew better than to shoot.

Regardless of whether it was Vivienne, Percival, or even Leopold, Mr. B stood no chance of a guaranteed hit.

In this open space, a well-trained individual could easily dodge a bullet. And even if hit by chance, Mr. B was aware that he would be the one to suffer the consequences.

With his legs rendered useless, escape was out of the question. He needed to wait for the right moment to act.

Percival, noticing her hesitation, wore a subtle smirk, "Mr. B, you didn't actually think you'd get the chance to pull the trigger, did you?"

Mr. B paused, suddenly realizing his fingers were numb.

He looked at Vivienne's smug face and understood that he had been drugged and was powerless to resist.