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,

was Vivienne, revealing even this

family to join

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

believe for a second that it had happened without the involvement

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

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

needed to suppress all

was the best

extent of the

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

nod, and Yuri signed

successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning the

that the serious business was concluded, Zelda seized her chance to speak up. “Vivienne, we

chosen the gift already. Change into these matching

shipper of Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain

and it

were getting

blinked in confusion. “Matching

couple’s outfits into Vivienne’s

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

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

having never

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

Percival’s repeated intimate poses in

of

This was killing him!

was he supposed to explain this to

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

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

as well

Vivienne had seemingly made up for years’

the others, Dawson was responsible for

the way, Dawson continued

even flinch at the question; instead, she queried, “Your family, the

warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

from Sea City, much like