The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The phone connected almost instantly.

Percival’s voice cut through the line with a chill, “This is Deputy Director Percival of Rivenwood Vanguard Agency headquarters. My third squad leader, Leopold, is currently detained at a military prison and is set for trial tomorrow morning. I’m requesting a delay in the trial. Director Vance has unanswered questions. I repeat, postpone Leopold’s trial. Director Vance has unanswered questions!”

Without waiting for a response, Percival sharply ended the call and whipped out his tablet to connect with the Sea City main office.

If Leopold was still on the docket for trial tomorrow, Percival would not hesitate to storm the military prison himself.

The message was sent to the public channel, clear for all of Vanguard Agency to see.

Outrage rippled through the ranks.

Leopold was merely carrying out orders from the higher-ups, and now they wanted to let him take the fall? That was not going to fly.

If this was how things were going to be, who would lay their life on the line for Vanguard Agency?

The collective anger forced the main office to reschedule Leopold’s trial hastily and mute all agents on the public channel to prevent further uproar.

But the cat was out of the bag, and the situation was spiraling beyond control. Whether it was the main office or Vance himself, somebody had to give an explanation.

“Percival, is it worth risking your career over this?” Vance asked.

Percival’s face remained stoic as he pocketed his tablet. “I’ve never cared about my career,” he replied sharply.

He sank into a chair and pulled out his phone to text Vivienne, updating her on Leopold’s predicament.

Then, eyes fixed on Vance, he pressed on, “I’ve got plenty of time, Vance. Ready to spill the beans yet?”

the floor and took a seat on the couch. “Before I took this position, I was given a mission. My superiors wanted me to secure the bioweapon research from the Martinez family to let Vanguard Agency develop it. With your years here, you should know that one of the two factions within the agency is linked to

Agency itself. While complementary, their roles differ. Now, we’re looking to merge the ancient

“Since when did Vanguard Agency turn into

know it’s wrong, but orders are orders. We’re just the executors. It’s the top

his cufflink. “Which top

beyond me. If you want to save Leopold, you’ll have to deal with the ancient warrior lineage. I’m

that ended up on the market, and now this heist? You seem quite adept at

was stunned for a moment. “I admit I took ‘Morning Glory’ from Griffin for this

deepened. Vance’s reaction

unaware that ‘Morning Glory’ ended

“Clarify your statement. Which market exactly did

your superiors. You’re just the executor, right?” Percival shot back, dismissively exiting the

not reveal the so-called top brass, Percival would find out

…

The Perez Mansion.

Vivienne had just arrived.

sparring in the yard when they noticed her. Maddox grinned, “Hey, niece, come judge for us.

sidelines, noticed Vivienne’s

to pick up on the tension, Zelda scooped

cast a worried glance back at Vivienne, concerned about her unexpected

silent as Maddox and Yuri’s playful bout came to an abrupt

“Vivienne, what’s the matter?”

accused of stealing bioweapon secrets from the Martinez family, and now he’s locked up in Sea City’s military prison. I could pull strings to get him

but that

his senior, she had to do everything in her power to help him within the

this is no trifling matter. How can you be so certain your junior is