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.

Karen had ties to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family, it was a different

was Vivienne, revealing even this

wanted the Perez family to join the YQ

had been the previous captain of the Vanguard Agency’s special squad. However, her last mission failed due to certain

that it had happened without the involvement of the

it was only a matter of time before word got

place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab

the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain

Perez family was the best

the full extent of the Perez family’s power,

trust in

gave Yuri a nod, and Yuri signed

to a successful partnership,” Yuri said,

seized her chance to speak up. “Vivienne, we

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

of Percival and Vivienne, she had to

and it had to go

were

in confusion.

Zelda thrust the couple’s outfits into Vivienne’s hands and pushed the pair into the adjacent private

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

“Get in position. I won’t photograph your

in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had

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

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

kind of

This was killing him!

to explain this to the other

he not only watched Percival kiss Vivienne right in front of him but also

about? They

as well apologize

made up for years’ worth of missed

to Jasper and the others, Dawson was responsible for driving

the way, Dawson continued to grumble

the question; instead, she queried, “Your family,

phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson

City, much like the lovestruck old rogue sitting