The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Scott’s palm tightened as he realized Mr. B had been compromised. If that was the case, what was Vivienne planning to do next?

He gazed steadily at Vivienne, his expression growing increasingly wary.

Vivienne, for her part, had no interest in exchanging pointless banter with Scott. She cut to the chase and said, “Where is the research facility for the new bomb?”

For too long, Percival and she had been on the trail of this new weapon.

But whether it was Percival, the Nine Mystics Society, or the Frostfire Intelligence Agency, the intel had been scant at best.

They had scoured every avenue. Even the car accident from before had not escaped their scrutiny.

And now, they had a lead. But it was still uncertain.

Scott remained tight-lipped.

The research facility for the new bomb was a critical project for the organization. It was an essential weapon to match up to the power of the Vanguard Agency. Thus, the bomb could not be compromised.

Especially now, as the organization was refining the bomb’s capabilities.

Before Scott had been captured, there had already been significant advancements.

Vivienne was in no rush. She said leisurely, “The Brooks family had a gala two days ago, planning to auction off a parcel of land. There’s an abandoned factory on it that you once decided to buy, but it’s been idle ever since. Now Ronald wants to sell it off, trade it for a plot in Eastlake Bay, and build a spa resort. Do you think it will sell?”

Scott bolted upright, the heart rate monitor beeping rapidly with his agitation.

Yet he clenched his teeth, refusing to utter a single word.

But his reaction was enough.

Vivienne curved her lips. “Thanks, Mr. Brooks.”

With that, she and Percival rose to leave.

The Nine Mystics Society had uncovered three potential sites for the new bomb research, all linked to the Brooks family.

was hardly surprising. A bomb research site needed to be remote and quiet, and with Scott in power, he would

Scott had purchased three

significant resources, and if all three

decided to storm one based on a hunch and were wrong, they risked alarming their quarry,

was why Vivienne had come to Scott today, dropping

Brooks family had no

to Leopold, “Head back to headquarters. We’re

taken aback, “Eastlake Bay? But that’s not the Brooks family’s property. Are we raiding the Brooks

was surprised, but after a moment of contemplation, she grasped the

land were indeed problematic, but the biggest issue

Bay had a vast territory with plenty

had it all, be it passenger, freight

family’s plots came under siege, Eastlake Bay would receive immediate news and could flee via the port or other transportation

happened, the new bomb

cunning, Eastlake Bay

plots

the map at first glance, and her visit today was to confirm her suspicions with

be joining Percival at

headquarters could not authorize the mission, then the Nine Mystics

complicated if not for

group split up. Vivienne issued the order, deploying all available members in Rivenwood to lie in wait

raced to headquarters

and Soren had their teams ready, just waiting for Percival to give the command

his superior’s

gear, joined Thomas and Soren in confronting him, “What’s the call? Do we move

glancing up at the three, “Second and third squads stand down. First squad, strip your combat gear. You’re with

bomb research facility, and you’re heading there with just the first squad, unarmed? Are you

lost some of his composure. “Eastlake Bay’s huge; the first squad’s just a few people. Are

speaking gravely, “Captain, what exactly are the

Thomas. He began donning a stealth operations suit designed for reconnaissance and concealment, “It’s a residential area. To avoid panic, we must first

Soren kicked a trash can in frustration. “With Scott in cuffs, they were already on high

both Leopold and Thomas could

considering the safety of the locals, their caution was