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.

had ties to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez

here was Vivienne, revealing even

She wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab to ensure

squad. However, her last mission failed due to

not believe for a second that it had happened without the involvement of the Vanguard

matter of time

trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ

could climb the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain factors with

family was the best

the full extent of the Perez family’s

proved her trust in him and the Perez family—a gesture that

a nod, and Yuri signed

a successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning

“Vivienne, we

Zelda smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already. Change into these matching outfits, and let me snap a few

of Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain

first-hand material, and it had to

were

in confusion.

the couple’s outfits into Vivienne’s hands and pushed

had chosen, Vivienne and Percival emerged to find

start. “Get in position. I won’t photograph your faces,

looked on in bemusement, having never

Zelda’s repeated directions, they posed for a series of couple

Dawson watched Vivienne and Percival’s repeated intimate poses in front

of

This was killing him!

he supposed to explain this

him but also had to repeatedly watch them cuddle and hug while he

what are you complaining about? They kissed right in

“You might as well apologize with

dinner party, Vivienne had seemingly made up for years’ worth of missed

the others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne

Dawson continued to grumble under

did not even flinch at the question; instead, she queried, “Your family, the Lynette family,

warrior lineage,’ Dawson

your average tycoons from Sea City, much like the lovestruck old rogue sitting