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!”

to stomach his ranting any longer, snapped. “Husky, can you shut

operation was bad

times now? If nothing works, maybe

unwarranted—they could have at least set up a perimeter, avoiding the empty-handed

why don’t you climb the ranks already?” Leopold blurted out, his anger getting the better of him, a clear sign of his

massaged her temples. Now, even divine

in the back, responded darkly, “Sure,

a cold sweat, Leopold realized what he had just

me, Vivienne!” He yelled

his desperate plea, Vivienne tugged at Percival’s arm, the other hand on the bomb model, and said

Vanguard Agency

her mother’s

mother,

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

But now…

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

intent. “Yes, I

face a portrait of dread. “I’m sorry,

bomb model, a sly smile playing on her lips,

their

Vivienne or kicked by Percival

was as if the Grim Reaper was grinning at

to bear it, Leopold clasped his hands, pleading with the pair, “I’m sorry, Vivienne, Percival. I’ll do whatever you

fingertips tapped rhythmically on the leather seat. “There’s no

as bright as ever. “I wouldn’t dream of sending him

two aren’t thinking

a bomb’s workings from

was an answer in itself, their smiles

way, I can’t possibly call Griffin. It’s out

the tenacious hound he had