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.

the Vanguard Agency. But

was Vivienne,

She wanted the Perez family to

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

a second that it had happened without the

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

currently caught between a rock and a hard place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted

the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain factors with external

Perez family was the best

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

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

nod, and Yuri signed his name without

to a successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning

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

the gift already. Change

Vivienne, she had to maintain her

material, and it had

were

blinked in confusion. “Matching

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

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

to start. “Get in position. I won’t

on in bemusement, having never

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

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

of

This was killing him!

he supposed to explain this to

say he not only watched Percival kiss Vivienne right in front of him but also had

about? They kissed right in front

disciples, “You might as well apologize

made up for years’ worth

Jasper and the others, Dawson was responsible

the way, Dawson continued to

she queried, “Your family, the Lynette family, they’re

the phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson

from Sea City, much like