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

and he straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. “Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I’m only interested in

did not respond,

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced

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

mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only

to seek out friendships, so the

her mother’s stories, Vivienne had never heard of

someone Vivienne had barely met

wanted to recruit her into the

Wishful thinking, indeed.

was

sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s interest to hear

were rivals from the moment she joined the agency. She was stubborn, and so was I. We’d often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not

for the hostage to be extracted unharmed. I was ready 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,

her mother

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

to teach Vivienne that no

Karen replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between one’s safety and

not fully understanding, Vivienne had confidently told her mother, “I’d make sure never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I’d have the enemy hand them over willingly. Now that’s the

laughed warmly at that,

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 protect the people

went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother’s actions were what every operative should aspire to.”Books Chapters Are Daily

Vance. “So, what does this have 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 past