The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne mulled it over for a second, then said, “Well, it’s not exactly like that. My mentor was the kind who’d perk up at the sight of a dollar bill, and now, I’m all about the cash, too. So, I need you to ink a new deal, Vance. You know my Mr. Wolf’s unemployed at the moment, and I’ve got a household to run.”

With that, she whipped out a fresh contract and laid it before Vance, the figures in it a whopping fifty percent higher than the previous one.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Vance scribbled his signature on the dotted line.

Money was no object when it came to this lifesaving contract.

After closing the contract, Vance’s expression regained its composure. “So, is this the reason Jasper called me over today?”

Jasper shook his head. “Of course not. This is a matter my granddaughter brought to you. As for me, I’ve got another issue to discuss.”

Vance straightened up. “What’s on your mind?”

“The ancient warrior lineage.”

Vance’s eyes flickered with disbelief.

Jasper himself hailed from the ancient warrior lineage, and the Perez family held a lofty position within the Vanguard Agency. It was surprising he would broach the topic with Vance, knowing full well that Vance had always wanted to kick the ancient warrior lineage out of the Agency.

“Surprised, huh?” Jasper chuckled. “I know you’ve got a bone to pick with the ancient warrior lineage, feeling that us old-timers are flexing our family muscles, stifling your special squad’s operations, and botching many a mission.”

Vance frowned, his gaze drifting over to Percival and Vivienne.

Great, those two were at it again, playing house.

One sipping coffee, the other pouring – living the life of Riley.

Vance had to drag his attention back. “Jasper, just lay your cards on the table.”

At that moment, Percival handed Vance a freshly brewed cup of coffee. “Vance, Jasper here wants a slice of our partnership pie. What do you say?”

ancient warrior lineage out of the Vanguard Agency. What exactly is the ‘pie’ you’re

their influence has grown massive, almost monopolizing power, to the point where even the

not merely vengeful.

unsure where he was headed with

with Noah, did anything strike

could be off? GTO managed to hide a mole in the Vanguard Agency

anyone catching on? Like those ten children back in the day – he added two more, and

about the others

the difference between ten

with GTO cutting off its own tentacles to let Noah gain

smooth that even Yorick never

the ancient warrior lineage to seize power all these years without any of their kin by his side. Why the

It dawned on Vance.

ancient warrior lineages must have been pulling strings behind the

it mean that someone

Vance could not help but break out in a

was being hunted, and

I first tried to locate the Emerald Monastery, I sensed someone was after me, too. We never identified who, but

not perished when his family was wiped out but had

using his position

would discover that someone was after Finnian’s life. Knowing he was no match for these mysterious

he returned, Finnian had succumbed to illness, leaving behind nothing but

on, no word came

that the demise of the Sheldon family was inextricably linked to the

was not truly dead; surely those of

had to be from the ancient

they were all from the ancient warrior lineage, then the mysterious people aiding

you want me

unrealistic. The Agency’s ranks are thoroughly intertwined with the lineage. The Martinez family’s arsenal and the Perez family’s wealth – are just the basics. If we truly ousted the lineage,