The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The conversation had taken a turn, and it was clear that light-hearted banter was off the table.

“Vance, let’s cut to the chase.” Vivienne bit into a strawberry, savoring the burst of sweet, succulent flavor.

Vance sipped his wine, his gaze shifting between Vivienne and Percival.

“Vivienne, what do you know about Percival here?” He asked, nodding subtly towards Percival.

Vivienne tilted her head, eyeing Percival from head to toe. “Inside out,” she declared.

Percival nearly choked on his Chardonnay.

What on earth was she talking about?

Were they not here for a formal discussion?

Vance was clearly taken aback, not expecting such a forthright answer from Vivienne.

Nor had Vivienne expected to say it, but seeing Percival’s stern and ascetic demeanor, she just could not help herself.

Not everyone could understand the world of someone who cared about looks like she did.

Vance regained his composure and chuckled. “Well then, you must be familiar with his work. I was wondering if you might be interested in joining him professionally?”

Percival coughed, glancing at Vance.

Was he suggesting Vivienne join the Vanguard Agency?

Vivienne speared another strawberry with her fork, the juice coating her taste buds in satisfaction.

“Director Vance, are you sure you can afford to hire me?”

Her question put Vance in an awkward spot. He flashed a forced smile. “Perhaps the Vanguard Agency does have the means.”

even know who I am?” Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her

straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. “Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper

respond, her gaze

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

a fierce glint flashed in Vivienne’s eyes, and the casual indifference

you were not, I believe, acquainted,” Vivienne said calmly, her

mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real ally had been

to seek out friendships, so the term ‘friend’ applied to very

mother’s stories, Vivienne had

was someone Vivienne had barely met in her childhood,

her mother’s name, wanted to recruit her into

Wishful thinking, indeed.

glass and leaned forward. “I was not

sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s

I. We’d often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I were assigned

to use a tranquilizer gun, but Lark would not have it. She insisted the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued, but ultimately, Ashen Pigeon sided with her, and I backed down. Lark took a risk, got herself injured, but managed to get the

her mother telling her

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never compromise their principles to achieve a

injured wasn’t a compromise. Karen replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between one’s safety

understanding, Vivienne had confidently told her mother, “I’d make sure never to get hurt if I were

warmly at that, her eyes

“Back then, I was young and hot-headed. I didn’t see the point in Lark’s actions. I thought that if you can’t

was not until I went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother’s actions were what every operative should aspire to.”Books Chapters

her gaze fixed on Vance. “So,

I know your mother passed all her knowledge to you. I want you to join the Vanguard Agency, to carry on her legacy, and let me look after you—as a way to make amends for my