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.

But for the Perez family, it was a different department

was Vivienne,

family to join the YQ Lab to

squad. However, her last mission failed due to certain reasons, and the YQ Lab was subsequently shut

did not believe for a second that it had happened without

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

was currently caught between a rock and a hard place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups

ranks, they needed

family was

nor Percival knew the full extent of the Perez family’s

Vivienne’s willingness to sign this contract proved her trust in him and the Perez family—a

and Yuri signed

a successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning the contract to

the serious business was concluded, Zelda seized her chance to speak up. “Vivienne, we haven’t seen each

Vivienne was about to present her gift, Zelda smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already. Change into these matching outfits, and let me snap

biggest shipper of Percival and Vivienne, she had

it had

were getting

in

into Vivienne’s hands and pushed

in the outfits Zelda had chosen, Vivienne and Percival emerged to find Dawson ready with the lighting, awaiting

start. “Get in position.

looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had this quirky

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

equipment, Dawson watched Vivienne and Percival’s repeated

of madness

This was killing him!

was he supposed to explain

Vivienne right in front of him but

you complaining about? They kissed right in front of

“You might as well apologize with your

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

farewell to Jasper and the others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne

the way, Dawson continued to grumble under

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

‘ancient warrior

Sea City, much like