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.”

pick

a motorbike came through the

Vivienne responded, “Yep, just outside. Came to pick you

chuckled warmly as he

remaining staff at Vanguard Agency watched in

into the

the deputy director smile is like

up quietly

one reason. These

looks, Percival took Vivienne’s hand,

Vance called out upon hearing the

to see Percival return so soon

modest, Percival,” Vance said with a smile,

Vance, her smile enigmatic.

else here. Just call me Uncle,” Vance

the cup, inhaling the aroma, “Lovely coffee. You must have something complex in mind

raised his eyebrows at her persistent formality, “Yes, the collaboration I

the famous Frostfire

director of Sea City Vanguard Agency, it was no surprise

Edwards, the

out a laugh. “I need to dig into a cold

stunned for a moment.

smiled. “A case that even Vanguard Agency

to a locked cabinet, retrieving an

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

lineage

the

The Sheldon

Sheldons, her mentor’s

scanned the scarce information, which listed members of the Sheldon family

red, was a single name: Ulysses,

Beyond that, nothing.

Finnian,

about Ulysses in particular?” Vivienne set the file down, her bright eyes searching Vance’s, revealing nothing of her

ever. Indeed, it’s Ulysses I

and skeptical. “Someone who’s been