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.”

Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her features alight with

Healer, an

not respond, her gaze dropping

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

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

acquainted,” Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an enigmatic

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

one to seek out friendships, so the

stories, Vivienne had

was someone Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely remembering

wanted to

Wishful thinking, indeed.

and leaned forward. “I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite

of sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s interest to hear

was stubborn, and so was I. We’d often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after

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

mother

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

crucial, between one’s safety and the hostage’s, the hostage must

get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I’d have the enemy hand them over

had laughed warmly at that, her eyes

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

until I went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother’s actions were what every operative should

fixed on Vance. “So,

all her knowledge to you. I want you to join the Vanguard Agency, to carry on her legacy,