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

Vivienne,

She wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab

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

that it had happened without the involvement of

that the YQ Lab was rebooting, it was 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

could climb the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain factors with

family was the best

neither Vivienne nor Percival knew the full extent of the Perez family’s power, it was enough to protect the

contract proved her trust in him and

gave Yuri a nod, and

partnership,” Yuri said, returning the contract

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

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

Vivienne, she had to

first-hand material, and it

were

in confusion.

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

and Percival emerged to find Dawson ready with the lighting, awaiting the

“Get in position. I won’t photograph

looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda

so, under Zelda’s repeated directions, they posed for a series of couple photos where their faces remained

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

of

This was killing him!

to explain this to the

of him but

what are you complaining about? They kissed right in front of me more than

“You might as well apologize

party, Vivienne had seemingly made

Dawson was

continued to grumble under

queried,

phrase ‘ancient warrior lineage,’ Dawson regained his

Sea City, much like the lovestruck old rogue sitting