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 even this

Vivienne affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to

However, her last mission failed due

had happened without the involvement

was only a matter of time before

suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab back into

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

Perez family was

of the Perez family’s power, it

this contract proved her trust in him

a nod, and Yuri

to a successful partnership,” Yuri said,

seized her chance to speak up. “Vivienne, we haven’t seen each other

her gift, Zelda smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already. Change into these matching outfits,

the biggest shipper of Percival and Vivienne, she had

first-hand material, and it had to go

were

in

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

outfits Zelda had chosen, Vivienne and Percival emerged to find

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

on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had this

they posed for a series of

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

of madness

This was killing him!

to explain this to

kiss Vivienne right in front of him but also had to

what are you complaining about? They

as well

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

Jasper and the others, Dawson was responsible for driving

the way, Dawson continued to grumble under

the question; instead, she queried, “Your family, the Lynette

‘ancient warrior

City, much like the lovestruck old rogue