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?”

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

you want to push them out. Over time, their

continued, knowing Vance’s motives were not merely vengeful. “You want to restore peace to the

quietly, unsure where

what happened with Noah,

in the Vanguard Agency for nearly sixty years,

six decades without anyone catching on? Like those ten

about the others on that

difference between ten or twelve

one in the Vanguard Agency was a fool. Without inside help, even with GTO cutting off its own tentacles to let Noah gain

never suspected his partner of

there was Noah, pushing for the ancient warrior lineage to seize power all these years without any of their kin by his side. Why the

It dawned on Vance.

must have been pulling strings behind the

GTO’s mole, could it mean that someone within the lineage had

thought was chilling, and Vance could not help but break out in

another cup of coffee. “My mentor faked his own death because he was being hunted, and those

“You’re right. When I first tried to locate the Emerald Monastery, I sensed someone was after me,

perished when his family was wiped out but had gone

using his position within the Vanguard Agency to his

was after Finnian’s life. Knowing he was no match for these mysterious assailants with his current abilities, he had no

had succumbed to

then on, no word

the past, Vance now understood that the demise of the Sheldon family was inextricably

had sensed that Ulysses was not truly dead; surely those of the ancient lineage were

be from the ancient

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

me to do?”

ancient warrior lineage leave the Vanguard Agency is clearly 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, the entire Vanguard Agency would be affected.Books