The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

☛ Bookmark This Website

She glanced at Soren’s retreating figure, knowing full well her recent tie in combat was just a stroke of luck.

Soren was still nursing an old injury, not yet back in top form.

Percival approached with the detached professionalism of a captain, addressing Anna, “A month from now will be the final assessment. Pass that, and I’ll arrange for you to start interning in the lab while carrying out missions.”

Anna saluted smartly. “Yes, sir. I won’t let you or Vivienne down.”

Vivienne watched her with a hint of amusement. The girl was a quick study.

While Leopold drove Vivienne and Percival back to their estate, Anna was left at the Vanguard Agency’s training camp to hone her skills.

On the way, Leopold queried, “Vivienne, do you think Anna’s got what it takes? The Agency’s training isn’t for the faint of heart.”

Despite Anna’s draw with Soren, he was worried.

“If you made it through, she will too,” Vivienne replied nonchalantly, leaning on Percival’s shoulder.

Percival nodded in agreement, “Right, makes sense.”

Leopold glanced in the rear-view mirror, catching the couple’s affectionate display, and asked belatedly, “Hang on. What do you mean ‘if I made it through’? I’m way better than Anna, okay?”

Vivienne lifted her gaze lazily, “She’s nineteen. How old are you?”

Leopold fell silent.

Alright, he asked for it. He should just shut up!

With a snap, he pulled down the visor.

Out of sight, out of mind, right?

…

A month later.

The assessment at Vanguard Agency officially began. The YQ and TCL labs had merged, keeping the YQ lab’s name.

Vivienne arrived at the lab first, taking in the familiar surroundings.

was set up just like the one her mother,

month meticulously restoring it to its former

could almost see her mother working diligently as

her mother had

Holden emerged from within, followed by a group of lab

YQ lab, Holden had been orienting his team to the lab’s

nodded in acknowledgment, her eyes catching an unfinished experimental report

“We’ve been trying to replicate that 3D biological printer, but

month of operation, Holden and his team had been busy with experiments and

said, “These numbers are correct, but you’ve got the direction mixed

stuck for a month, but

Admiration was an understatement.

research fanatics, and seeing Vivienne’s expertise, they eagerly surrounded her with reports from

asked, “Who’s

was neatly trimmed, his nails clean, and he wore silver-rimmed glasses with

I’m working on the

sized him up, feeling

the young man’s capabilities, Holden quickly added, “Ma’am, his name is Rex. He’s a recent

“Show me your

report.

nodded, impressed by

to the director once I’ve figured

it and scribbled a series of numbers.

for a moment,

the pen and said, “How long have you been working

replied casually, clutching the report as he headed to

explanation. “Ma’am, he’s utterly devoted to medicine.

bothered. However, Rex’s dedication reminded her of someone, though that person was not nearly as

spoke, Percival entered,

Vivienne turned.

month, with fresh scars on her exposed

stepped forward, saluting. “Special squad third division

Third division?

not Soren’s

Percival, who explained, “Luck of the draw. She drew the short

patted Anna’s shoulder. “Passing is all that