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.

that Karen had ties to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez

was Vivienne, revealing even

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

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

believe for a second that it had happened without the

YQ Lab was rebooting, it was only a matter

constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab back into the Vanguard Agency, Percival would not last

the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain factors with

family was the best

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

contract proved her trust in

a nod, and Yuri signed his

a successful partnership,” Yuri

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

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

Percival and Vivienne, she

was first-hand material, and it

were

blinked in confusion. “Matching

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

emerged to find Dawson ready with the lighting, awaiting the entrance of

“Get in position. I

looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had

under Zelda’s repeated directions, they posed for a series of

and Percival’s repeated intimate

kind of

This was killing him!

he supposed to explain this to the

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

would say, “Heh, what are you complaining about? They kissed

disciples, “You might as well apologize with your

had seemingly made up for years’ worth of missed

bid farewell to Jasper and the others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne and

continued to grumble under his

not even flinch at the question; instead, she queried, “Your family, the Lynette family,

warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

tycoons from Sea City, much like the