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.

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

Vivienne, revealing even

wanted the Perez family to join the

previous captain of the Vanguard Agency’s special squad. However, her last mission failed due to certain reasons, and the YQ Lab was subsequently

that it had happened without the involvement of

was only a matter of time before word got back

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

needed to suppress all uncertain

Perez family was the

neither Vivienne nor Percival knew the full extent of the

willingness to sign this contract proved her trust in him and

gave Yuri a nod, and Yuri signed his name without

successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning the contract to

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

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

Vivienne, she had to maintain her online

was first-hand material, and it had to go

were getting

in confusion.

outfits into Vivienne’s hands and pushed the

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

start. “Get in position.

looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had this

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

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

of madness was

This was killing him!

explain this to the other

not only watched Percival kiss Vivienne right in front of him but also had to repeatedly watch

would say, “Heh, what are you complaining about? They kissed

disciples, “You might as

seemingly made up for years’ worth

bid farewell to Jasper and the others, Dawson

way, Dawson continued to

question; instead, she queried, “Your family,

‘ancient warrior lineage,’

tycoons from Sea City, much