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.

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

here was Vivienne, revealing even

wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab to ensure its utmost

her last mission failed due to certain reasons, and the YQ Lab was subsequently

did not believe for a second that it had

it was only a matter of time before word got back

superior constantly trying to suppress him. If

ranks, they needed to suppress

was the best

the Perez family’s

contract proved her trust in him and the

a nod, and Yuri signed

here’s to a successful partnership,” Yuri

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

Vivienne was about to present her gift, Zelda smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already.

Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain her online

was first-hand material, and it had to

were getting

blinked in

outfits into Vivienne’s hands and

emerged to find

camera was itching to start. “Get in position.

Percival looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had

they posed for a series of couple photos where their

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

kind of madness was

This was killing him!

supposed to explain this to the other

but also had to repeatedly watch

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

as well apologize

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

others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne

the way, Dawson continued to

she queried, “Your family, the Lynette family,

phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained

average tycoons from Sea City, much like