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.

me off the battlefield and saved my life and my leg. But Rover is a top-secret agency asset. Beyond the code name, that’s

Vanguard Agency that even Percival

did not push further. He would eventually

his demeanor changing in an instant. “When will you be returning to service?

snorted with laughter. “What could you possibly have

Ellington Group.” Percival smiled, continuing their casual

time they had chatted so freely was when Percival

their conversation came to an end. Micah stood up, leaning on his cane. “Alright, I’m heading back to work today. Retirement will

as he

shook his head, not letting Percival walk him out any further than the office door.

now on, you’ll be fighting alone.

joined the team—From now on, we fight together.

fighting side by side were

time, go see Yorick Linklater. He was the one who pushed for your promotion. Now that you’re parting ways with the

“Understood.”

respected Micah’s decision and did not follow him out. He stood in the office, watching Micah take

chair, took

Vivienne’s sleepy

“Still not up?”

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

anything you say. But before that, I think you’ll be more interested

paused, and then the sound of rustling came from the other end, “What’s

Linklater family!” Percival’s eyes

sat up with a

The Linklater family!

Vesper!

too well that the name Vesper Linklater was

Hannah were all picked at random to make

or power in Rivenwood. Such associations could

this time, she had casually uttered Vesper

significance of that surname in

a commercial dynasty like the Ellingtons nor an ancient

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

into the light, they captured the

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