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

here was Vivienne,

Vivienne affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to

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

had

a matter of time

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

Perez family was

the Perez family’s power, it was enough to protect

Vivienne’s willingness to sign this contract proved her trust in him and the Perez family—a gesture that touched

Yuri a nod, and Yuri signed

partnership,” Yuri said, returning the contract to

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

smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already.

shipper of Percival and Vivienne, she had

was first-hand material, and it had to go up

fans were getting

blinked in confusion. “Matching

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

in the outfits Zelda had chosen, Vivienne and Percival emerged to find Dawson ready with the lighting, awaiting the entrance of

“Get in position. I won’t photograph your faces, so don’t

having never realized Zelda had

for a series of couple photos

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

kind of madness

This was killing him!

supposed to explain this to the

him but also had to repeatedly watch them cuddle

you complaining about? They kissed right in

as well

dinner party, Vivienne had seemingly made up for years’ worth

the others, Dawson

way, Dawson continued to

queried, “Your

warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

Sea City, much like the lovestruck