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.

ties to the Vanguard Agency. But

was Vivienne, revealing

wanted the Perez family to join the YQ

her last mission failed due to certain reasons, and the YQ Lab

a second that it had happened without the

was only a matter of time

was currently caught between a rock and a hard 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

they needed to suppress all uncertain factors with

Perez family was the best

the Perez family’s power, it was enough to protect the YQ

proved her trust in

Yuri a nod, and Yuri signed

successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning the contract

“Vivienne, we haven’t seen each other in so long. Don’t you

chosen the gift already. Change into

shipper of Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain

it had to go up

were getting

blinked in

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

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

“Get in position. I won’t photograph

bemusement, having never realized Zelda had this

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

watched Vivienne and Percival’s repeated intimate poses in front of him,

of madness was

This was killing him!

he supposed to explain

but also had to repeatedly watch them

say, “Heh, what are you complaining about? They kissed right in front of me

as well apologize

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

Jasper and the others, Dawson was responsible for

continued to grumble

she queried, “Your family, the Lynette family, they’re an ancient warrior

‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

from Sea City, much like the lovestruck old rogue