The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne slammed the phone down with a chilling finality that seemed to echo the icy resolve in her eyes.

Three minutes later, the realization hit both Vivienne and Percival simultaneously.

The bomb research facility was nestled right beneath Eastlake Bay Plaza, spreading its clandestine roots beneath half the square.

The scene suggested a hasty escape; the fleeing suspects only had snatched the crucial documents.

The operatives from the Nine Mystics Society had already evacuated, and Leopold, leading the first squad, had scoured the base thoroughly.

“Vivienne, Percival, check this out.” Leopold approached, cradling a box in his arms.

Percival flipped the box open to reveal a scale model of a state-of-the-art bomb—obviously left behind in the chaos.

This only confirmed the suspicion that the perpetrators had received an urgent tip-off.

Otherwise, they never would have left something so vital behind.

Vivienne extracted the model, a one-to-one replica. While not as revealing as written documents, to the trained eye, it could divulge the bomb’s design.

The bomb’s most unnerving feature was its ability to evade detection—compact, portable, and easy to conceal.

Understanding how it slipped past sensors would be key to preemptive defense.

Vivienne tucked the model away. “I’m taking this.”

Percival nodded. He had no intention of reporting a mere model to the higher-ups. He still had that much leverage.

Instead, Percival simply called Thomas, instructing him to report the escapees’ flight, foregoing a return to headquarters.

On the way back, Leopold was fuming.

“Damn it, if we had set up a blockade sooner, I bet we could’ve stopped them. What are the higher-ups thinking? If they’re worried about civilian safety, just make up an excuse to evacuate. A fire drill, earthquake drill—anything would’ve worked. This is infuriating!”

any longer,

of a botched operation was bad enough without his

If nothing

could have at least set up a perimeter, avoiding

the ranks already?” Leopold blurted out, his anger getting

massaged her temples. Now, even divine intervention could

back, responded

into a cold sweat, Leopold realized what he

Vivienne!” He

plea, Vivienne tugged at Percival’s arm, the other hand

complications within the Vanguard Agency had thwarted their

of her mother’s death

called her mother, prompting her

never considered the possibility of a mole within the Vanguard Agency, a team her mother

But now…

Vanguard Agency betrayal had led to her mother’s failed mission, she would ensure

intent. “Yes, I agree.

chill. He turned, his face a portrait of dread. “I’m sorry,

bomb model, a sly smile playing on her lips, while Percival’s normally stoic eyes twinkled with

witnessing their

be slapped by Vivienne or kicked by Percival than

was as if the Grim Reaper was grinning at

with the pair, “I’m sorry, Vivienne, Percival. I’ll do whatever

on the leather seat. “There’s no need for such dramatics. Just help me

nodded, cradling the bomb model, her smile as bright as ever. “I wouldn’t dream of

“You two aren’t thinking of her,

could deduce a bomb’s workings from a model, someone trustworthy and an

silence was an answer in

face went pale as he stammered, “No way, I

– the tenacious hound he