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.

to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family, it was a different department

was Vivienne, revealing

affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab to

previous captain of the Vanguard Agency’s special squad. However, her last mission

for a second that it had happened without

rebooting, it was only a matter of time

constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab back into the Vanguard Agency,

could climb the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain

family was the

full extent of the Perez family’s power, it was enough to protect the

emphatically. Vivienne’s willingness to sign this contract proved her trust in him and the Perez family—a gesture that touched

and

partnership,” Yuri said, returning the contract

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

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

of Percival and Vivienne,

was first-hand material, and it had to go

fans were getting

in confusion. “Matching

Zelda thrust the couple’s outfits into

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

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

having never realized Zelda

for a series of couple photos where their faces

and Percival’s repeated intimate poses in

kind of madness

This was killing him!

to explain this

in front of him but also had to repeatedly watch them cuddle and hug

complaining about? They

disciples, “You might as

the dinner party, Vivienne had seemingly made

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

continued to

instead, she queried, “Your family,

‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

much like