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

Vivienne, revealing even this

Vivienne affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to join the

special squad. However, her last mission failed due

had

only a matter of time before

a rock and a hard place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted

Percival could climb the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain

Perez family was the best

Vivienne nor Percival knew the full extent of the Perez family’s power, it was enough to protect the

her trust in him and the

Yuri a nod, and

partnership,” Yuri

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

her gift, Zelda smiled. “I’ve chosen the gift already. Change

the biggest shipper of Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain

first-hand material, and it

fans were

blinked in confusion. “Matching

outfits into Vivienne’s

Zelda had chosen, Vivienne and Percival emerged to find Dawson

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

on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had

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

Vivienne and Percival’s repeated intimate poses in front of

of

This was killing him!

explain this to the other

but also had to repeatedly watch them cuddle and hug while he

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

as well

the dinner party, Vivienne had seemingly made

and the others, Dawson was responsible for driving

way, Dawson continued to grumble under his

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

the phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson

City, much like