The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne scrutinized the contract from top to bottom, each clause capable of sending shock waves through the business world if taken on its own.

The document stated that the Perez family would unconditionally provide all components and funding necessary for the development of a groundbreaking new explosive device. In return, Vivienne was only required to secure a location and manage security and insurance—the kind of overhead that would not cost her a dime.

The catch? The patent for the new explosive could not bear Vivienne’s name.

But this term suited Vivienne just fine.

After all, the explosive device was Griffin’s brainchild. She had simply come into possession of it by a twist of fate and, coincidentally, had the means to bring the project to fruition.

Without hesitation, Vivienne signed her name on the dotted line.

It marked the second time she had officially collaborated with the government.

“Grandpa, I agree to the terms here,” Vivienne handed the contract to Jasper.

Jasper chuckled. “Kiddo, you don’t want to ask around a bit more?”

“I trust you, Jasper. That’s enough for me.”

Vivienne had that kind of confidence; once she believed in someone, she trusted them completely.

Jasper felt a wave of relief and nodded in approval. “Alright, this old man won’t let you down; rest assured.”

Vivienne glanced at Percival, who, in turn, presented another contract.

“Jasper, Yuri, please take a look at this contract as well,” Percival said, passing it over with both hands.

It was a gift from Percival and Vivienne to the Perez family.

Jasper’s brows twitched, and Yuri was visibly stunned. “Vivienne, are you sure?”

Their surprise was not overblown; they simply had not expected Vivienne to be willing to offer up such an asset.

The contract was another win-win partnership, where the Perez family would not need to invest much effort or time into maintenance.

It pertained to the YQ Lab—a highly secretive venture of Vivienne’s, with every project somehow linked to Karen.

Yuri had previously uncovered a bit about it, but not in great detail.

knew that Karen had ties to the Vanguard Agency. But for

here was Vivienne, revealing

Perez family to

of the Vanguard Agency’s special squad. However, her last mission failed due to certain reasons, and the

a second that it had happened without the involvement of the

the YQ Lab was rebooting, it was only a matter of time before word got back to the Vanguard

place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab back into the Vanguard Agency, Percival would not

needed to suppress all uncertain

was the

knew the full extent of the Perez

willingness to sign this contract proved her trust in him and the

and Yuri

partnership,” Yuri said, returning the

was concluded, Zelda seized her chance to speak up. “Vivienne, we haven’t seen each other in so long. Don’t you

smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already. Change into

Percival and Vivienne, she

material, and it had to go

fans were getting

in confusion. “Matching

two, go change!” Zelda thrust the couple’s outfits into Vivienne’s hands and pushed the pair into the

Percival emerged to find Dawson

“Get in position. I won’t

on in bemusement, having never realized

Zelda’s repeated directions, they posed for a series of couple photos where their faces remained obscured or

Vivienne and Percival’s repeated intimate poses in front of him, grinding his teeth

of madness was

This was killing him!

was he supposed to explain this to

not only watched Percival kiss Vivienne right in front of him but also had to repeatedly watch

you complaining about? They kissed right in front of me more

as well apologize with

Vivienne had seemingly made up for

Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne and

way, Dawson continued to grumble under

the question; instead, she queried,

the phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained his

from Sea City, much like the lovestruck old rogue sitting next to