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.

ties to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family, it was a different

Vivienne, revealing even

Perez family to

her last mission failed due to certain reasons, and the YQ Lab was subsequently

second that it had happened without the involvement of

rebooting, it was only a matter of time before word got back to

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

the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain factors with

was the

neither Vivienne nor Percival knew the full extent of the Perez family’s power, it was

sign this contract proved her trust in him and

Yuri a nod, and

Yuri said, returning the contract

serious business was concluded, Zelda seized her chance to speak up. “Vivienne, we haven’t seen each other in so long. Don’t you want to give me

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

of Percival and Vivienne, she

was first-hand material, and it had to go

were getting

in confusion.

change!” Zelda thrust the couple’s outfits into Vivienne’s hands and pushed the pair into the

emerged to find Dawson

start. “Get in position. I won’t

and Percival looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda

repeated directions, they posed for a series

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

kind of madness was

This was killing him!

supposed to explain this to the other

right in front of him but

complaining about? They kissed right in front of me more than

disciples, “You might as well apologize with your

Vivienne had seemingly made up for years’ worth

others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne and

Dawson continued to grumble under

flinch at the question; instead, she queried, “Your family, the Lynette family, they’re an ancient warrior

warrior lineage,’ Dawson

from Sea City, much like the lovestruck old rogue sitting next