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.

to the Vanguard Agency. But

Vivienne, revealing even

affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab to ensure its

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

it had happened without the involvement

it was only a matter of time

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

climb the ranks, they needed to suppress all

Perez family was

Vivienne nor Percival knew the full extent of the Perez family’s power, it

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

gave Yuri a nod, and Yuri signed

a successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning the

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

as Vivienne was about to present her gift, Zelda smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already. Change into these matching outfits, and let me snap

and Vivienne, she had

was first-hand material, and it had to

fans were getting

blinked in

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

and Percival emerged to find Dawson ready with the lighting,

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

Percival looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had this

a series of couple photos where their faces remained obscured

and Percival’s repeated intimate poses in front of

of madness

This was killing him!

explain

front of him but also had to repeatedly watch them cuddle and hug while

what are you complaining about? They

might as

made up for years’

others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne and

Dawson continued

question; instead, she queried, “Your

‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

average tycoons from Sea City, much like the lovestruck old rogue sitting