The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

At the headquarters of Rivenwood Vanguard Agency.

Percival nudged open the door to the director’s office. “You wanted to see me, Vance?”

Vance gestured towards the chair across from his desk. “Take a seat, Percival.”

Percival squinted slightly before complying, settling into the chair facing Vance.

“What’s Vivienne been up to lately?” Vance casually flipped through the documents on his desk as he inquired.

Percival lifted his gaze, his tone airy. “Vance, should I be concerned that you’re taking an interest in my fiancée?”

Vance shot him a look, chuckling. “No need for that. My romance is quite blissful.”

The joke did little to amuse Percival, who mainly remained expressionless.

Vance snapped the folder shut and looked up. “Can you ask Vivienne to swing by HQ? I’ve got a rather pressing matter, and I’d like to discuss a potential partnership with her.”

Percival’s eyes flickered. “What kind of partnership?”

Vance’s smile persisted, “That’s something I don’t think I need to share with you.”

His stance was clear: even though Percival was Vivienne’s betrothed, Vance preferred to approach her directly with this matter.

Percival’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Alright then.”

With that, Percival stood and left.

Vance watched him go, the smile slowly fading from his face.

Back in his own office, Percival dialed Vivienne.

“Vivienne, he’s looking to collaborate. Didn’t say on what.”

Vivienne’s laughter filtered through, “Vance loves his mysteries, but what’s the point? It’ll come out eventually.”

Percival’s smile broadened. “This seems different from the last time. Want to come over?”

“Sure, I’m on my way. I’ve got a few questions for him myself, like where on earth he’s sent Leopold.”

I’ll pick

a motorbike came through the

Came to pick you up after work, but it looks like you’re in for

as he stepped

at Vanguard Agency

gotten into the

director smile is

up quietly

only looked like this for one reason. These colleagues of mine, so sheltered,’ She

stunned looks, Percival took Vivienne’s hand, and they headed to the director’s

called out

see Percival return

was quick. You’re too modest, Percival,” Vance said with a smile,

from Vance, her smile enigmatic. “When Mr.

me Uncle,”

the cup, inhaling the aroma, “Lovely coffee. You must

persistent formality, “Yes, the collaboration I have in mind is

continuing, “You’re behind the famous Frostfire Intelligence

did not deny it. After all, as the director of Sea City Vanguard

know, Mr. Edwards, the right price will get you the

laugh. “I need to dig into a cold

a

smiled. “A case that even

locked cabinet, retrieving an old,

national security. We can’t dig into everything. And this case involves

the ancient lineage caused a flicker in

opened the file, and the title alone weighed

0404: The Sheldon Family

Sheldons, her

the scarce information, which listed members of the

the bottom, highlighted in red, was a single name: Ulysses,

Beyond that, nothing.

was Finnian, her

cold case, or are you asking about Ulysses in particular?” Vivienne set

as ever. Indeed, it’s Ulysses I

the couch, her gaze growing heavy and skeptical. “Someone who’s been missing for seventy years might as well be dead. What’s there