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 was a

here was Vivienne,

Perez family to join

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

for a second that it had happened without the involvement of

it was only a matter of time before

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

Percival could climb the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain

Perez family was

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

emphatically. Vivienne’s willingness to sign this contract proved her trust in him and the

and Yuri signed

partnership,” Yuri said, returning

Zelda seized her chance to speak up. “Vivienne, we haven’t seen each other in so long. Don’t you want to give me a

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

biggest shipper of Percival and Vivienne,

first-hand material, and it

were getting

in

outfits into

find Dawson

“Get in position. I

bemusement, having

for a series of couple photos where their faces remained obscured

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

kind of madness

This was killing him!

was he supposed to explain this to

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

are you complaining about? They

might as well apologize with

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

the others, Dawson was

way, Dawson continued to grumble under

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

phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’

tycoons from Sea City, much like the lovestruck old