The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Thomas was taken aback, his eyes darting towards Percival.

“Ma’am, you’re practically signing my death warrant here!” He yelled inside.

“Percival, hear me out. This is the training grounds. I have to be in combat gear. I am the Chief Instructor, and I can’t very well train them in a suit and tie!”

Percival’s eyes briefly swept over Thomas’s attire without a word, instead wrapping his arm around Vivienne, and they made their way deeper into the training area.

For a few seconds, Thomas felt like he just walked through the valley of the shadow of death.

Leopold slapped Thomas on the back with a smirk, “Man, that gear does look sharp on you, though.”

Thomas shot him a glare that could kill and kicked out at him half-heartedly, then quickly caught up with Percival.

“Percival, the training’s halfway through. If we’re bringing in the newbie, we might need to fast-track her.”

Thomas implied that Anna had to pass the earlier assessment today if she wanted to keep her spot here.

Percival’s stern face held a grave expression as he said, “Let’s begin now.”

Neither Vivienne nor Anna had any objections.

It was only fair.

If Anna could not pass the earlier assessments, it only proved she did not have the mettle to stay.

“Captain.”

Off in the distance, a man in an olive-drab tee approached, saluting Percival crisply.

This was Soren, the physical training examiner.

After exchanging pleasantries with Percival, Soren sized up Vivienne. Then his gaze landed on Anna. “So you’re the little lady who waltzed in through the back door?”

His tone was less than friendly, and his eyes were full of disdain.

Thomas signaled to him discreetly, whispering, “Soren, watch the attitude.”

“Come on, man, she’s Ma’am’s protégé. Besides, it’s not like she wanted the shortcut. If she can’t make the cut, even Percival won’t keep her here. Don’t be so aggressive, or you might just tick off Percival!” He thought, trying to signal Soren with his eyes.

spiel to Anna. “I’m the physical training instructor. We will start your assessment now. If you don’t make it, beat it, and I don’t care who brought you

clearly directed

noticing Soren’s target, stepped forward angrily, “Soren, who the fuck do you

landing squarely on Soren. “You’re not wrong. Show your

“Who’s wasting whose time is yet to be

annoyance crossed Percival’s face. “Soren, empty threats aren’t

squad third division, was the most hot-headed of

overall capability, he was

he respected was Percival. As for Thomas and Leopold, Soren hardly paid

speak, Soren’s

follow me. Let your skills do the talking.” Soren gave

look piqued Vivienne’s

seemed Soren’s real

Interesting.

slight smile,

Percival

ground and faced Soren defiantly. “Let’s not make this complicated. You be my opponent.

challenge, Soren saw the fire in the eyes

into more comfortable clothes, and a one-on-one battle with

the sidelines, aware

outcome was anyone’s

raised an eyebrow. “I bet a hundred

money on Soren,” Percival

gathered around, cheering on

the roaring crowd, only grew

mud flying

and precise, and Anna used her agility to dodge his

end, the match was too close to

Anna’s vital point while she held his artery in her

in a stalemate, neither could

turning to

and separated them, announcing the

are you embarrassed? Fighting to a draw

a clod of mud, sending it flying

a couple of inches, and the mud landed right at the tip of his

a flick of her toe, a pebble soared up, striking