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 different

was Vivienne, revealing even

family to join the YQ Lab to ensure its

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

had happened without the

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

a hard place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab back into

ranks, they needed

was the

the full extent of the Perez family’s power,

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

and Yuri signed his name without

Yuri

“Vivienne, we haven’t

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

of Percival and Vivienne, she had to

it had to go up

fans were

in confusion.

go change!” Zelda thrust the couple’s outfits into

Percival emerged to find Dawson ready with the lighting, awaiting the entrance of

start. “Get in position. I won’t photograph your

bemusement, having never realized Zelda had this quirky

series of couple photos where their faces remained

repeated intimate poses in front of him, grinding his

of madness

This was killing him!

to explain this

Percival kiss Vivienne right in front of him but also had to repeatedly watch

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

as well apologize with your

party, Vivienne had seemingly made up for years’ worth

and the others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne and

the way, Dawson continued to

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

‘ancient warrior lineage,’

City, much like