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

came through the phone, and

in her voice, Vivienne responded, “Yep, just outside. Came to pick you up

he stepped out to greet

at Vanguard

gotten into the

director smile is like seeing a

quietly before

for one reason. These

the stunned looks, Percival took Vivienne’s hand,

in,” Vance called out upon

Percival return

said with a smile, standing to usher them to the

her smile enigmatic. “When Mr. Edwards summons, I make it

call me Uncle,” Vance offered as he

must have something complex in mind for such hospitality,

at her persistent formality, “Yes, the collaboration I have in

the

deny it. After all, as the director of Sea City Vanguard Agency, it was no

to know, Mr. Edwards,

need to dig into

a

“A case that

locked cabinet, retrieving an old, worn

national security. We can’t dig into everything. And this case involves an ancient warrior lineage. Take a

mention of the ancient lineage

the title alone weighed heavily

The

her

scanned the scarce information, which listed members of the

was a single name: Ulysses, age twenty,

Beyond that, nothing.

Finnian,

are you asking about Ulysses in particular?” Vivienne set the file

as ever. Indeed, it’s

skeptical. “Someone who’s been missing for seventy years might as well be