The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne lifted her hand with a delicate motion, her fingertips brushing against Vance’s.

The contact sent a jolt of pain through Vance’s finger, causing him to slump back onto the couch, but his eyes remained locked on Vivienne with intensity. “Sure, Lark and Ashen Pigeon and I didn’t see eye to eye, but our beef was strictly professional. I have no reason to off her, so show some respect, will ya?”

His agitation caught Vivienne off guard. She had obviously struck a nerve.

Still cradling his wrist, Vance stared at her, “Neither you nor Micah have any ground to suspect me. I admit I’ve got a grudge against the ancient warrior lineages, and I use my job to dig around. But as an agent of Vanguard Agency, from field operative to the director I am today, I’ve honored every mission and every badge I’ve ever worn on my uniform!

Look, Vivienne, Percival, you can accuse me of neglect, of not caring about the future and safety of my agents, but you can never question my commitment to Vanguard Agency!”

In Percival’s eyes, Vance was far from a model director. In fact, he did not even deserve the title.

Sacrificing his own people for personal gain, landing them in military prison while acting like nothing happened, seeing them meet their ends without lifting a finger… Such a man did not inspire Percival’s respect.

But he could not deny the truth in Vance’s words.

The room fell silent for a few minutes, with no one speaking.

After some time, Vance’s emotions seemed to stabilize. “My mission for the Frostfire Intelligence Agency still stands. Next time you swing by, I expect news about your mentor.”

It was a clear dismissal, and his tone was less than friendly.

Vivienne looked back at Vance.

He seemed to be shackled by his obsessions.

An obsession with the ancient warrior lineages, with the Sheldon family.

She had seen the medical records of Vance’s parents before they died, which had nothing to do with some karmic cycle.

lead poisoning—this lead was different, laced with unknown toxins and substances, lying

Darren and Ashley out of the Edwards Group affair. Perhaps

Vance’s folks often returned to the Mystic Vein, and they were

secured hefty health insurance for their workers that the

problematic. However, Vance’s parent’s deaths were certainly not due to karma. The matter was only draped

was indeed

I hope you’ve got more to spill about Rover. Otherwise, you can kiss any

was Vivienne’s

photos, leaving no trace in

not sensed him stepping in for Vance, Vivienne would have had nothing on

your mom’s death was suicide. It’s got nothing to do with anyone in Vanguard Agency, least of all Rover. He was more torn up about

her, blocking Vance’s view. “Keep your ancient warrior lineage feud out

led Vivienne out. She did not resist, following him to his

started the engine, the calm of the night surrounded them. “Vivienne, the Finnian situation… I don’t

do you say that?”

his phone. “Our

sure enough, it was that mystery

only cares about the ancient

watch out for Vance; now,

grew more certain of who this mysterious person was, her anger towards her only grew.

must have

the window at the bustling streets, her bright eyes scanning every

figure to

Why? Why all this?

to collect

nod and turned the car around, heading

knew something was up. Not wanting to delay, he put down his cutlery and

what was even the point of having an

a peg for ya?” Finnian strolled in with a grin, a strawberry cheesecake in hand, ready to cheer up his apprentice.Books Chapters