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!”

ranting any longer, snapped.

a botched operation was bad enough without his

times now? If nothing works, maybe we should

least set up a perimeter,

Leopold blurted out, his anger

massaged her temples. Now, even divine

the back, responded

into a cold sweat, Leopold realized what he had just

me, Vivienne!”

other hand on the bomb model, and said calmly, “Mr. Wolf, perhaps it’s time for you to

Agency had thwarted

of her mother’s death remained

mother, prompting her to choose

of a mole within

But now…

Vanguard Agency betrayal had led to her mother’s failed mission, she would ensure the traitor learned that neither prison nor

her intent. “Yes, I agree.

chill. He turned, his face a

a sly smile playing on her

their expressions,

kicked by Percival

Reaper was grinning

hands, pleading with the pair, “I’m sorry, Vivienne, Percival. I’ll do whatever you ask—climb mountains, swim oceans,

no need

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

aren’t

workings from

Vivienne’s silence was an answer

stammered, “No way, I can’t possibly call Griffin. It’s

hound