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?”

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

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

escaped Percival. “Since when did Vanguard

uncomfortable with the notion himself. “I know it’s wrong, but orders are orders. We’re just

top brass? I want

not yet qualified,” Vance said bluntly. “This is beyond me. If you want to save Leopold, you’ll have to

that ended up on the

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

deepened. Vance’s reaction

ended up aboard

did ‘Morning Glory’ end up? Is there a connection to

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

so-called top brass, Percival would

…

The Perez Mansion.

Vivienne had just arrived.

grinned, “Hey, niece, come judge for us. Loser takes out the trash tomorrow

who was watching from the sidelines, noticed Vivienne’s troubled expression. “Zelda, Diana,

the tension, Zelda scooped

leaving, Diana cast a worried glance back at Vivienne,

silent as Maddox and Yuri’s playful bout

“Vivienne, what’s the matter?”

Sea City’s military prison. I could pull strings to get him out, but that’s not the way he’d want this handled. That’s why I’m here, to ask for your help,” Vivienne said, her voice tinged with

but that was not what he would have

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

so certain your junior is innocent?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated