The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dawn was barely breaking as Percival opened his eyes and reached for his phone to call Thomas.

Within minutes, Thomas arrived in his car and picked up the duo who had spent the night by the seaside.

“Where to, Percival?” Thomas did not ask why. He just did what he always did, taking care of what needed to be done.

Percival twirled a strand of Vivienne’s hair. “To the office.”

Vivienne yawned. “I’m heading back to crash.”

After dropping Vivienne off, Thomas drove to the company.

In the president’s office, someone was already waiting in silence.

Percival opened the door and greeted, “Boss.”

The man in the chair turned around, a custom-made cane in hand. “Long time, no see.”

Percival’s lips curved into a half-smile as he ushered Micah to the couch and poured him a cup of coffee. “How have you been?”

Micah did not ask much but casually chatted with Percival. “Pretty good, just eating and sleeping. I’ve been so lazy that I hardly want to get up and exercise. My legs are paying the price.”

Percival chuckled, responding briefly before asking, “Who’s Rover?”

Micah’s hand paused, a shadow flickering in his eyes, “Why do you ask?”

“Just curious,” Percival replied nonchalantly.

Micah hesitated for a moment before setting down his coffee cup, “Percival, I know you don’t trust anyone in the agency right now, but I can assure you, Rover is solid. He’s someone I deeply respect, as did your mentor Lark and Vance, too.”

Percival frowned subtly.

Such high praise from Micah meant Vance had not lied.

Rover was a deep well.

“Who is he?” Percival pressed.

Rover. They dragged me off the battlefield and saved my

was a realm within the Vanguard Agency that even

did not push further. He would eventually find out

changing in an instant. “When will you be returning to service? I left a gift for

“What could you possibly have for me,

chairman of the Ellington Group.” Percival smiled, continuing their

last time they had chatted so freely was when Percival had

an end. Micah stood up, leaning on his cane. “Alright, I’m heading back to work today. Retirement will have to wait a

as he

head, not letting Percival walk him out any further than the office door. He took

be fighting alone. The

nodded firmly, remembering Micah’s words when he had joined the team—From now on, we fight together. No matter how

of fighting side by

one who pushed for your promotion. Now that you’re parting ways with the agency, you should visit

“Understood.”

and did not follow him out. He stood in the office, watching Micah take the elevator

back in his chair, took out his phone,

Wolf…” Vivienne’s sleepy

“Still not up?”

bit groggy, but if you’re offering to treat me

anything you say. But

then the sound of rustling came

Linklater family!”

up with a

The Linklater family!

Vesper!

knew all too well that the name Vesper Linklater was just a stage name her mother had concocted

Evelyn or Hannah were all picked at random to

status or power in Rivenwood. Such associations could lead to suspicion and trouble, which

she had casually uttered

significance of that surname

family was not a commercial dynasty like the Ellingtons nor

Linklaters had been a distinguished military family since time immemorial, their history rich with honor and prestige. As years turned into centuries, they adopted an increasingly understated approach to their public presence. So much so that when the Four Prominent Families of Rivenwood were listed, few remembered

whenever a Linklater stepped into the

Linklaters were up to remained a mystery to the outside world, but the respect they commanded was unmatched.Books Chapters Are Daily