The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vance exhaled slowly. “Vivienne, you two should know that in the annals of ancient warrior lineages, there are some secrets. Nothing is impossible. The world is always full of things that turn our understanding on its head. It’s not unscientific; it’s just beyond the current reach of human knowledge.”

Listening to Vance’s sermon, Vivienne could not help but chuckle.

What was the point of stating common knowledge?

What was Vance really after?

Why would the head of Vanguard Agency be delving into the secrets of ancient warrior lineages?

“If you want to collaborate with me, show me you mean business,” Vivienne said, leaning back in her chair with an amused expression as she watched Vance.

Vance folded his arms, his fists clenched with a hint of nervousness. After a moment of thought, he decided to lay all his cards on the table.

“There is… a connection between me and the ancient warrior lineage,” Vance confessed, locking eyes with Vivienne. “It’s like when the Perez family married with the Lynette family. A member of the Edwards family, who happened to be my auntie, married into an ancient warrior lineage, which has a tie to the Sheldon family massacre that cannot be ignored.”

Vance continued, “After the Sheldons disappeared, the Edwards family got a slice of luck, which paved the way for their current stature. But my family has never had peace; it is always plagued by disturbances. I believe it has a lot to do with Ulysses.”

“Isn’t Ulysses missing? How is he involved?” Vivienne inquired.

“The truth is, Ulysses was not home when the Sheldon family met their fate. His trace was never found, hence the assumption of his disappearance. I’ve approached Frostfire Intelligence Agency to investigate Ulysses’ whereabouts. I don’t believe he’s dead.”

Vivienne’s gaze sharpened with a dangerous glint, “Vance, this is a personal request, not from Vanguard Agency, right?”

Vance nodded. “Yes, this is my personal matter. The cost is no object; the reward will be substantial if you find him.”

Vivienne eyed Vance intently, then said, “Alright, I’ll take it.”

After leaving Vanguard Agency, Percival glanced at Vivienne, “Don’t you suspect Vance was the one behind the pursuit of Finnian?”

Finnian had been dodging the ancient warrior lineage for years. With Vance’s high rank within Vanguard Agency, it would be easy to locate someone, especially with his ties to the lineage.

Vance had ordered the

“Of course, I suspect. But I also suspect Vance has other

grunted. “Indeed, he’s

only friend was

connections were hard

Why was Vance suddenly keen on finding him? And he had approached Vivienne, too. The series

got a point. Where

in town with rave reviews, and Percival had been

phone and dialed Finnian’s number, “Finnian, how about barbecue on me?

surely

favorite dish

lips curved into a slight smile; Vivienne was setting another trap

the trio converged at the barbecue

barbecue? Got another nasty trick up your sleeve?” Finnian knew his apprentice too well; she would not invite him to a meal out

placed the brisket on the grill. “Ulysses Sheldon, do

his full name in ages,

to remember that was

Master!” Finnian rapped Vivienne’s tongs with his fork, channeling a bit

Vivienne did not let go. “Answer

together. For the sake of the brisket,

I knew his grandfather. The Edwards are nothing but lackeys. Now, will you let

release her grip, and Finnian hastily snatched the brisket away, fearing she might

the files on the Sheldon

paused, his devouring

passed him a glass of carrot

his friends; whenever he felt a whirlwind of emotions or the

he would say with a wink.Books Chapters