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.”

back on the sofa, her features alight

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

did not respond,

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

Vivienne’s eyes, and the casual indifference

you were not, I believe, acquainted,” Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an

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

not one to seek out friendships, so the term ‘friend’ applied to

had never heard of anyone besides

Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely

her mother’s name, wanted

Wishful thinking, indeed.

down his wine glass and leaned forward. “I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the opposite,

carried a hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s interest

especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I were assigned to the same

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 hostage out

mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

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

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

that, her

recounting the past, Vance rubbed his cheek. “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 guarantee your own life, how can you

actions were what every

fixed on Vance. “So, what does this have to do with

want you to join the Vanguard Agency, to carry on her legacy, and let me look after you—as