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.

the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family,

was Vivienne, revealing even this

Perez family to join

Vanguard Agency’s special squad. However, her last mission failed due to certain reasons, and the YQ Lab was

had happened without the involvement of

only a matter of time before word got back to the Vanguard Agency’s

currently caught between a rock and a hard place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab back into

Percival could climb the ranks, they needed

was the best

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

contract proved her trust in him and the Perez

nod, and Yuri signed his name without

a successful partnership,” Yuri

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

“I’ve chosen the gift already. Change into

biggest shipper of Percival and Vivienne,

was first-hand material, and it had to go

fans were getting

in confusion.

outfits into Vivienne’s hands and pushed

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

“Get in position. I won’t photograph

Percival looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had

repeated directions, they posed for a series of couple photos where their faces remained obscured

and Percival’s repeated intimate poses in

of

This was killing him!

he supposed to explain this to the other

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

are you complaining about? They kissed right in front

“You might as well apologize with your

made up for years’ worth of missed

and the others, Dawson was responsible

the way, Dawson continued

she queried, “Your family,

‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

Sea City, much like the lovestruck old rogue sitting next