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 with

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

not respond,

“Karen’s daughter,” Vance said.

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

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

mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real ally

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

her mother’s stories, Vivienne had never heard of anyone

was someone Vivienne had barely met in her

name, wanted to recruit

Wishful thinking, indeed.

glass and leaned forward. “I was

carried a hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne’s

and so was I. We’d often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I were assigned to the same squad, tasked with 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

mother telling her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

had said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never compromise their

protecting oneself was crucial, between one’s safety and the

“I’d make sure never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I’d have the enemy hand

laughed warmly at that, her eyes

the point in Lark’s actions. I thought that if you can’t guarantee

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

Vance. “So, what does this have to

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