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 for the Perez family, it

Vivienne,

the Perez family to

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

had happened

that the YQ Lab was rebooting, it was only a matter of time before word got back to

him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ

Percival could climb the ranks, they needed

was the

knew the full extent of the Perez

this contract proved her trust in him and

Yuri a nod, and Yuri signed his name without

Yuri said, returning the contract

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

chosen the gift already. Change into these matching outfits, and

Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain her online

and it had to go up

were getting

in confusion.

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

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

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

on in bemusement, having never

posed for a series of couple

repeated intimate poses in front of

kind of madness

This was killing him!

to explain this

in front of him but also had to

what are you complaining about? They kissed right in front of me more

as well apologize with your

had seemingly made up for years’ worth of missed

the others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne and Percival

way, Dawson continued to grumble under

flinch at the question; instead, she queried, “Your family, the Lynette family, they’re

‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

tycoons from Sea City, much like the lovestruck old rogue sitting next to