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.”

I am?” Vivienne leaned back on

his eyes piercing into Vivienne. “Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I’m

did not respond, her

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

Vivienne’s eyes, and

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

when her mother was with

was naturally a loner, not one to seek out friendships, so the

Vivienne had never heard of

had barely met in her childhood,

mother’s name, wanted to

Wishful thinking, indeed.

glass and leaned forward. “I was not exactly close

of sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s interest to hear

agency. She was stubborn, and so was I. We’d often butt heads, especially during

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

her mother

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

sharing this story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never compromise their principles to achieve a

was crucial, between one’s safety and the hostage’s, the hostage must come first—that was the

to get hurt if I

warmly at that, her eyes

young and hot-headed. I didn’t see the point in Lark’s actions. I thought that if you can’t guarantee your own life,

I finally understood. Your mother’s actions were what every operative

“So, what does

again. “Vivienne, I know your mother passed all her knowledge to you. I want you to join the Vanguard Agency, to carry on