The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

As they chatted, the pair arrived at the meeting spot.

Griffin was waiting outside, and upon spotting the duo, she bounded over with earnest warmth.

Being the daughter of the Martinez family, Griffin was inevitably a bit biased toward her own kin.

Her complete trust in Vivienne and Percival was undeniable; otherwise, she would not have collaborated with Vivienne on developing a new bomb detection device.

Griffin’s role was pivotal in arranging for Stellan to come out for this meeting.

“Vivienne, my dad came alone, without the company’s legal team. You guys got this,” Griffin cheered, pumping her fist in encouragement.

Vivienne understood. Stellan’s choice to come without his lawyers meant he was not planning to finalize anything today.

He knew that relying on the Vanguard Agency would ultimately spell trouble for the Martinez family.

The Martinez family was an ancient warrior lineage that came out of seclusion, but they lacked venerated elders like those in the Perez family. It was only Stellan keeping up appearances, along with Griffin, who was a rare prodigy in the arms industry.

This was the only way the Martinez family could maintain their status.

But this recent incident, almost costing them Griffin, was a clear sign that someone was targeting the Martinez family.

If they did not adapt, the road ahead would be rocky indeed!

Inside the café, Stellan sat at a table, exuding a casual vibe in his leisurewear, quite the opposite of Vivienne’s expectation of a suit and tie. His demeanor, though relaxed, carried an air of authority that demanded respect.

Griffin let go of Vivienne’s hand and led the way, introducing, “Dad, this is the Vivienne Hawthorn I told you about, and her husband, Percival Ellington.”

Stellan stood up, his face breaking into a warm smile as he extended his hand, “Mr. Ellington, Ms. Hawthorn, a pleasure to meet you both.”

his hand. “Mr. Martinez,

exchanged, they all took

quiet and

the ice. “I’ve always heard from Griffin how well Ms. Hawthorn has looked after her. I

My junior did something regrettable to your family, and I failed

boy. He might

sending Griffin out to make contact with Leopold’s family meant he was

Leopold for years, it was impossible for

Stellan’s words that he held

seemed that Leopold had already won the

more small talk, they finally ventured into the heart

are your thoughts on the Ellington

what the Martinez family specializes in. As a former deputy director of the Vanguard Agency, what’s your

but not quite so

“Mr. Ellington, we both know the score. Let’s be

and handed Stellan a business card. “The company that truly wants to collaborate with

in

was pouring coffee, nearly missed the cup. She looked up at Percival, unable to believe that her brother-in-law was the legendary Mr.

lineages, times were tough, and

internal fractures appeared, compounded by the pressure from their ancestral lineage. At fifteen, the weight on Stellan reached a

family was on the brink

the deal was fair. He requested a batch of small and long-range firearms from the Martinez family and,

the day, the Martinez family had weathered the storm, narrowly avoiding the crushing pressure of the ancient warrior

had tried to investigate this Mr. Percy, but the man was a ghost,

it turned

in developing the latest biochemical weapon. I can assure you that the ownership of this weapon won’t fall into the hands of the Vanguard

flicker of doubt passing through his