The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vance was clearly growing impatient, the topic at hand obviously not to his liking.

“The big boss of the organization, Noah, is who you guys refer to as Rover,” he said.

Percival’s tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt.

Vance had thought Percival was certain, so he admitted, “Yes, Noah is Rover. Back in the day, I was the commander, but when the plan changed at the last minute, I had to go through the boss.”

Percival chuckled lightly. “Figures.”

It was then that Vance realized he had been played. He sighed, “Percival, you can suspect me or Micah all you want, but with Noah, there’s no need.”

“Because he’s your mentor?” Percival raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady on Vance.

Vance nodded, “Yes, Noah was our mentor. He brought us together and led us to where we are now. He’s the most accomplished commander Vanguard Agency has ever had and your mentor’s idol. I can vouch for him, Percival. Noah’s clean. He didn’t take part in that operation!”

“But he signed off on it, Vance. I can’t believe you’ve never doubted him,” Percival’s tone turned colder.

Silence fell over Vance, and for a long while, he found no words.

Indeed, after the mission’s failure, not just Karen but also Micah and Vance themselves had harbored deep suspicions within Vanguard Agency.

Compared to Karen and Micah’s emotional ties and utter trust, Vance was a bit more ruthless. He had even doubted Noah, the very mentor who had brought him into the fold.

Vance had investigated, sure, but Noah was Noah, without a single discrepancy.

Eventually, Vance shifted his suspicions to Micah.

That was why, later on, the rift between Micah and Vance only deepened.

These suspicions were put on hold when Vance went undercover.

Vance shared all the details of his past investigation into Noah with Percival, saying, “I did doubt him, but my mentor is innocent. You’re wasting your time, Percival.”

Percival remained silent, his eyes holding a strange light.

moment, he left with all the

did not try to stop him; he just

everything’s fine,” Vance said with a smile, seemingly at peace

together and nod. “Yeah, I told him.

hanging up, Vance’s smile faded, and he stood up somberly,

all his connections to

name and with Percival’s own savvy, he still found

was enough to deepen his understanding of

to be rehired by Vanguard Agency as

fought alongside Yorick multiple times, a comrade-in-arms bound

bond was as strong as Percival’s

most outstanding disciples were Karen,

well-connected, decorated, a

mind as

could match

like a director or deputy director, his title could not be measured by the badges

furrowed his brows, admiring the resume, especially the major cases handled by Noah, which even

death, it made doubting such a seasoned leader seem

looked at Vivienne before pulling her into

in thought, “Vivienne, we’re in for a

stared ahead, her gaze not fixed on any

need

his chin

…

in Rivenwood, F-Poison

a pure white sundress, her seaweed-like

ringtone sounded, and F-Poison

“Hello, it’s me.”

the person on the other end said, a sly look passed behind F-Poison’s

won’t let you be exposed.

chasing each other around in the park, a slow smile creeping across her