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.

But for the Perez family, it was a different department and

Vivienne, revealing

wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab to

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

had happened without the involvement

a matter of time before word got back to

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

they needed to suppress all

family was the

Percival knew the full extent of the Perez family’s power, it was enough to protect

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

and Yuri signed

here’s to a successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning the contract

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

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

shipper of Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain

was first-hand material, and it had to

fans were

blinked in confusion.

thrust the couple’s outfits into Vivienne’s hands and

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

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

on in bemusement, having never realized

a series of couple photos where their

equipment, Dawson watched Vivienne and Percival’s repeated intimate poses in

of madness

This was killing him!

was he supposed to explain this to the other

him but also had to repeatedly

are you complaining about? They kissed right in front of

“You might as well apologize

seemingly made up for years’ worth of missed

Jasper and the others, Dawson

continued

she queried, “Your family,

the phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained his

Sea City, much like the