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.

one was your mentor, Lark, and the other was Rover. They dragged me off the battlefield and saved my life and my leg. But Rover is a top-secret agency asset. Beyond

the Vanguard Agency that even Percival could

He would eventually find

will you be returning to

with laughter. “What could you possibly have

Ellington Group.” Percival smiled,

had chatted so

end. Micah stood up, leaning on his cane. “Alright, I’m heading back to work today.

as he saw

walk him out any further

you’ll be fighting alone. The road ahead is perilous. Take

nodded firmly, remembering Micah’s words when he had joined the team—From now on, we fight together. No matter how perilous the road ahead is, I’m with

days of fighting side by

Linklater. He was the one who pushed for your promotion. Now that

“Understood.”

follow him out. He stood in the office, watching Micah take the elevator down until

his chair, took out his phone, and

Mr. Wolf…” Vivienne’s sleepy voice came

“Still not up?”

offering to treat me

But before that, I think you’ll be

paused, and then the sound of rustling came from the other end,

Linklater family!”

sat up with a

The Linklater family!

Vesper!

the name Vesper Linklater was just a stage name her mother had concocted

were all picked at random to

would never choose a surname associated with high status or power in

this time, she had casually uttered Vesper

the significance of

Linklater family was not a commercial dynasty like the Ellingtons nor an ancient warrior lineage

centuries, they adopted an increasingly understated approach to their public presence. So much so that when the Four Prominent Families of Rivenwood were listed,

a Linklater stepped into the light, they captured the attention of

to the outside world, but the respect they commanded was unmatched.Books