The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Percival stared at Arthur with an intensity that seemed to cut right through him as if trying to read his soul.

But Arthur was an enigma, a book whose pages refused to be turned.

Despite Percival’s knack for sizing people up, Arthur, the revered War God of Veridia, remained an untold story to him.

With just a side glance, Arthur seemed to catch onto Percival’s musings and let out a derisive chuckle. “You’re wondering why I know about the elixir of life? Why I brought it up in front of you? Whether I’m a traitor?”

Percival was speechless, thinking, “Can you read minds or what?”

Wait a second.

Why did his tone sound so familiar?

Arthur stood up, his gaze icy as he gave Percival a once-over. “Kid, you’ve got a lot to learn. Some things aren’t as simple as they appear on the surface!”

With that, Arthur turned on his heel and strode away.

Pausing at the doorway, he seemed to remember something and looked back at Percival. “The Vanguard Agency? It’s history as of today!”

Without another word, Arthur left.

Percival watched Arthur’s retreating figure, his eyes shadowed with thought.

After a moment, he looked up at the Vanguard Agency, then walked away.

Meanwhile, Vivienne had made her way to the Frostfire Intelligence Agency, insisting that Matthew focus on finding her father.

After Matthew briefed her on recent missions, Vivienne left. With Percival tied up in work, she suddenly realized she had nowhere in particular to go.

– she hadn’t taken the Thaddeus and Isolde out for fun in ages. With a free day

throw from the

only Cordelia

Vivienne, Cordelia’s face lit up with surprise, quickly followed by a warm smile.

he had been swamped. Vivienne, too, had her plate full, and visits to the

inviting Vivienne over for a family dinner a few times, but she was always

the hospital and was taken aback to see Vivienne turn up

a bright smile, Cordelia welcomed Vivienne in. “Come in, dear. You really should give us a heads-up next time so I can whip up something nice. We’ve got nothing in the kitchen right now. Tell you what, I’ll call your dad and have him come home for lunch. We can all go out

Cordelia had been busy helping out. With Thaddeus now in boarding school during

yet had the chance

of taking Thaddeus out for a bit of

taken to calling Dorian and Cordelia by their first names – not out of distance, but for clarity’s sake. It avoided confusion during family gatherings when

have fun any day. Today, we eat together. It’s been too long since you’ve been home,”

After all, she knew that Vivienne rarely had time to eat a proper meal when she was busy. More importantly, she had heard that Karen did not know how to cook. Thus, Cordelia was worried that even

now, and

I’ll head to the supermarket right now and get what we need

etched on her face, Cordelia continued, “Look at you, you’ve lost weight! How’s Percival been looking

to ask what on earth he’s been so busy with that he

rubbed her temples, slightly overwhelmed by Cordelia’s

I’ve

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she was three pounds heavier, but Cordelia was still not satisfied. “Only three pounds? That’s not looking after you properly. You should be gaining at least

a

thirsty, and stopped in his tracks at the sight of Vivienne. His face lit