The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Leopold was buzzing with excitement.

The high-tech gadgets at Vanguard Agency weren't typically available for public use.

Guarded by a dedicated team, even the interrogation equipment was off-limits to field agents like him.

If it weren't for the recent crackdown by the War God within the agency, which had somewhat loosened the reins on such devices, he wouldn't have had a chance to borrow it.

Vivienne commanded, "Scan her."

With a tilt of her chin, she gestured toward Ramona. A playful smirk finally danced on her lips. "Ms. Grimshaw claims I shoved her. She should have my fingerprints on her, right? Take a look for me, will you?" "What are you doing to me?" Ramona's expression twisted in fear the moment she heard "fingerprint scanner."

Luckily, she was looking down, hiding her face from the crowd.

But as Leopold strode over to her, she could no longer maintain her composure. "Don't touch me! Please, someone, help! Keep them away from me!"

Vivienne smiled thinly. "What are you afraid of? That they'll find others' fingerprints on you but none of mine?"

Kala raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Vivienne, do you know something we don't?"

How else could Leopold just happen to bring the scanner today?

Vivienne didn't answer her immediately. Instead, she addressed everyone present. "Why not check your phones? Ms. Grimshaw has been seen with a different man every night for months-from entertainment moguls to hotshot directors, all guests behind her curtain."

"That's slander!" Ramona burst forth, tears streaking her face. “Ms. Hawthorne, you may dislike me, but you can't just toy with my reputation like this!"

She had been standing close to Jackson, which had prevented Leopold from making his move.

Now, seizing her moment of vulnerability, Leopold stepped in front of her. With a ping, the scanner displayed all of Ramona's fingerprints.

this, will you? If it breaks, I can't report back, and War God will have my hide."

Bluetooth. The beauty of this advanced

with the scanner, and

you've been quite busy today, haven't you? The

really

Vanguard had some nifty gear but had no idea it was this sophisticated. As she watched Ramona's complexion sour,

to resist, she peered at the screen and saw a plethora of names, both familiar and not. She

Good heavens!

So many people!

Leopold stopped reading-it

by Vivienne, everyone else began checking

the top, the word "scandal" in bold, drawing

own rules-the fewer words, the bigger the

clicked in with a mix of excitement and dread and were bombarded with photos and videos of Ramona entering hotels with different men, emerging from dinner parties-the evidence was

a

deceiving! Who knew such a pure-looking flower was actually

disdainful and

what the photos online looked like, but she hadn't done any of what they accused her

delicate hands clenched

didn't escape Vivienne and Percival, whose eyes gleamed

a bit weary, leaned on Percival. "If you haven't done anything, prove it. But, from what I remember, your file said your parents were just blue-collar workers.

our cover, we're both done for!" Jackson scanned the online content at lightning speed, stepping in to intercept Ramona before

of ice-cold water dumped on Ramona's head, sobering her up instantly. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ FɪndNøvel.ɴet website

formidable! She shuddered openly