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.

only knew that Karen had ties to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family, it was a different department and

here was Vivienne, revealing

certain,” Vivienne affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab

special squad. However, her last

it had

only a matter of time before word got back to

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

the ranks, they needed to

was the best

of the Perez family’s power, it was enough to protect

trust in him and the Perez family—a gesture that touched

a nod, and Yuri signed his name without

successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning the contract to

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

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

Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain her online

first-hand material, and it had

were getting

blinked in confusion.

You two, go change!” Zelda thrust the couple’s outfits into Vivienne’s hands and pushed the

to find Dawson ready

“Get in position.

having

posed for a series of couple photos

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

kind of madness

This was killing him!

to explain this to the other

front of him but also

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

“You might as

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

Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne

the way, Dawson continued to

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

the phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

just your average tycoons from Sea City, much like