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.”

hand. “Mr. Martinez, it’s

pleasantries exchanged, they all took

her place, stayed quiet and busied herself

ice. “I’ve always heard from Griffin how well Ms. Hawthorn

me to you, Mr. Martinez. My junior did something

boy. He might be a bit headstrong, but he’s a good kid. No

make contact with Leopold’s family meant

chasing after Leopold for years, it was impossible for him not to know

Stellan’s words that he held Leopold in high

already won the favor of

some more small talk, they finally ventured into the heart

the Ellington

thoughtfully. “Mr. Ellington, you must be aware of what the Martinez family specializes in. As a former deputy director of the Vanguard Agency,

was prepared for a straightforward question but

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

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

widened in disbelief. “You’re

up at Percival, unable to believe

family had broken away from the ancient warrior lineages, times were tough, and updating

from their ancestral lineage. At fifteen, the weight

was on the brink of

were not altruistic, but the deal was fair. He requested a batch of small and long-range firearms from the Martinez family and, in return, provided a substantial financial lifeline that helped them survive the

avoiding the crushing pressure of the

had tried to investigate this Mr. Percy, but the man was a ghost, leaving not a single trace

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 Agency. If anyone tries to manipulate the Martinez family for their own ends, they

looked at Percival solemnly, a flicker of doubt