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, snapped. “Husky, can

operation was bad enough

many times now? If nothing works, maybe

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

don’t you climb the ranks already?” Leopold blurted out, his anger getting the better of

Now, even

responded darkly, “Sure, any other

Leopold realized

me, Vivienne!” He

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

Agency had thwarted their recent

cause of her mother’s death

called her mother, prompting her to

within the Vanguard Agency, a team her

But now…

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

brows arched subtly, understanding her intent. “Yes, I agree. You’ve worked hard

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

playing on her lips, while Percival’s normally stoic

witnessing their expressions,

be slapped by Vivienne or kicked by Percival than subjected

Reaper was grinning at a doomed

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

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

cradling the bomb model, her smile as bright as ever. “I

aren’t thinking

workings from a

and Vivienne’s silence was an answer in itself,

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

tenacious hound he had barely