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.

Karen had ties to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family, it

here was Vivienne,

Perez family to join the YQ Lab

her last mission failed due to certain reasons, and

did not believe for a second that it had happened without the involvement

a matter of

and a hard place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him.

climb the ranks, they needed to suppress

was

the full extent of the Perez family’s

to sign this contract proved her trust in him and the Perez family—a gesture

Yuri a nod, and Yuri

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

we haven’t seen each other in

about to present her gift, Zelda smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already. Change into these

biggest shipper of Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain her

first-hand material, and it had to go up

were

blinked in

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

outfits Zelda had chosen, Vivienne and Percival emerged to find Dawson ready with

position. I won’t photograph your faces,

bemusement, having never realized

Zelda’s repeated directions, they posed for a series of couple photos where

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

kind of madness

This was killing him!

supposed to explain

of him but

are you complaining about? They kissed right in front of me

“You might as well apologize

seemingly made up for years’ worth

bid farewell to Jasper and the others, Dawson was responsible

continued to

even flinch at the question; instead, she queried,

the phrase ‘ancient warrior

Sea City, much like