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!”

his ranting any longer, snapped. “Husky,

a botched operation was bad enough without his incessant

retorted. “How many times now? If nothing works, maybe we should just surrender, throw in

outrage was not unwarranted—they could have at least

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

massaged her temples. Now, even divine

in the back, responded darkly,

into a cold sweat, Leopold realized what he had

Vivienne!” He

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

the Vanguard Agency had thwarted

her

her mother, prompting

considered the possibility of a mole within the Vanguard

But now…

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

understanding her intent. “Yes,

turned, his face a

model, a sly smile playing on her lips, while Percival’s normally

their expressions,

would rather be slapped by Vivienne or kicked by Percival

the Grim Reaper was grinning at a doomed

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

the leather seat. “There’s no

her smile as bright as ever. “I

two aren’t thinking of

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

Vivienne’s silence was an answer in itself, their

pale as he stammered, “No way, I can’t possibly

– the tenacious hound he had barely