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

here was Vivienne, revealing

Vivienne affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to join

However, her last mission failed due

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

was only a matter of time before word got back to the Vanguard

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

ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain factors

family was the

the full extent of the Perez family’s

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

gave Yuri a nod, and Yuri signed

successful partnership,” Yuri said, returning

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

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

and Vivienne, she had to maintain her online fan

material, and it had

fans were

in confusion.

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

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

to start. “Get in position. I won’t photograph your

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

directions, they posed for a series of couple photos where

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

of

This was killing him!

explain this to the

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

They kissed right in front of me more than

might as well apologize with your

seemingly made up for years’ worth of missed photo

the others, Dawson was responsible for

continued to grumble under his

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

phrase ‘ancient warrior

from Sea City, much like the lovestruck old