The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

On the other side of town, nestled within a leafy suburb, Vivienne received a call from Rivenwood.

It was Griffin on the line.

“Vivienne, I've made another delivery of ‘Morning Glory’ to the Vanguard Agency just a few days ago. They've been dispatched already, but they went straight to HQ this twithout going through Micah.” Vivienne nodded in understanding. “How's the detector coming along?” Griffin seemed to breathe a little easier. “The prototype’s there, but we haven't been able to test it fully. After all, I've only managed to create a new type of bomb based on the model we have. We need to find the ones already planted by GTO to ensure it can actually detect them.” They had only found a model of the new bomb in Eastlake Bay. Though Griffin could replicate it, there was no certainty that it was identical to the ones GTO had developed.

Only an on-site test would prove that.

What they could test at the base was far from conclusive.

“Mmm,” Vivienne murmured. “Having a prototype is better than nothing. Ideally, it should be a universal detector that can pick up your latest ‘Morning Glory’ creation.” “Don’t worry, Vivienne, I've got this,” Griffin reassured her, “The specifics of the ‘Morning Glory’ are already programmed into the detector model, and those tests have been successful.” Hearing Griffin's confidence, Vivienne felt a measure of relief. “Any other business at the base?” Griffin picked up on her subtext, replying, “Nothing more. I've booked a flight, and we'll land in Sea City in three days.” “We?” Vivienne's interest was piqued. a Charlotte was busy with her studies and special training; she had no tto travel.

Griffin was not known for having many friends.

Yet, she was talking about coming to Sea City with “we”! A bit embarrassed, Griffin's voice lowered on the other end. “It’s that Husky. He wouldn't take no for an answer, claiming it was his boss’ order to ensure the safety of the special agents. Spouted a whole list of reasons.” Vivienne chuckled, teasingly offering, “If you don’t like him, you can always request someone else.” “No, I... Vivienne, you're teasingagain!” With Griffin's voice shifting shyly, Vivienne decided not to push further. “Alright, Ill pick you guys up in three days. Just the two of you?” “And Anna.” Griffin handed the phone to Anna, who sighed heavily and said, “Ms. Vivienne, | was coerced.” “Understood. See you in three days.” Vivienne smiled, ending the call with a soft tap.

Percival approached her, “Leopold's coming?” “Yeah,” Vivienne rolled her eyes. “Did he check in with you? Griffin said he insisted on following her.” Percival touched his nose thoughtfully. “Not exactly, but I'm on a mission.” Vivienne glanced sidelong at him. “Got a lead?” Percival shook his head. “Just a hunch. Thomas is short on people. | thought about calling Soren, but Leopold volunteered.” “Look at the kid[] Leopold] getting initiative,” Vivienne remarked. Then, her phone buzzed with new messages.

Draven: [Boss, I've set up shop in Sea City and gathered the men of the Nine Mystics Society. Awaiting your orders.] Matthew: [Vivienne, the Boyds have put in a request with Frostfire Intelligence Agency, looking for the Specter Healer for bone-setting and a back injury. They're willing to pay any price.] Vivienne’s eyebrow quirked at that. Any price? Reading the smessage, Percival stated flatly, “Reject it.” Resting her chin in her hand, Vivienne’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Why?” Percival was perplexed. “You just chopped off her hand, and now you want to stitch it back on? Are you kidding?” He pressed his lips. “Vivienne, as | recall, you're no saint!” Vivienne’s lips twitched. “Of course I'm not! But who hates money?” With that, she replied to Matthew, [Five hundred billion for the bone-setting, eight hundred billion for the back injury.] Percival stared, dumbfounded.

As he suspected! Money was indeed, above all, in Vivienne’s world! After sending the message, Vivienne smiled at Percival and scrolled through her phone for the following message.

It was from the head of the Boyd family, Theodore, speaking on behalf of Wendy. They invited her, as the head of the Boyd family, to join Percival at a yacht party scheduled in three days. The invitation included the address.

The host was Patrick.

Vivienne’s expression turned contemplative.

Wendy had just lost her hand and already wanted to attend a dinner party? Wendy was old and bold, too.

Turning off her phone, Vivienne looked at Percival and asked, “Mr. Wolf, do you think you'll be able to use the item Eliza gave you in three days?” Percival frowned deeply. “Vivienne, if you keep looking atlike that, | might have to use it right now.” Vivienne's slender finger traced a path down Percival’s shirt collar, murmuring provocatively, “Then why not use it onnow?” The air charged with a palpable tension, like waves crashing against the rocks, an endless cycle of ebb and flow laced with unspoken desire.

Percival’s hand closed around her delicate wrist, the electric sensation zapping straight to his core.

Their gazes locked, the depths of their eyes reflecting only each other.

Adoration surged from within, raw and unguarded, spreading like a storm.

They had restrained themselves for too long, quieted for too long, holding back amidst peril after peril.

And so, a single flirtatious jest could set off an avalanche and a tsunami.

Percival pulled Vivienne into his embrace, his kiss searing with such intensity that it threatened to set her ablaze.

Vivienne, as ever, responded to his touch without a hint of reservation.

Their fingers intertwined, radiating endless tenderness and passion.

“Miss, for tonight's dinner, we have... Oh dear, I'm so sorry.” Juliet quickly shut the wide-open door, hastily retreating from the “crscene.” Vivienne buried her face in Percival’s shoulder, her fair cheeks flushed with a rosy tint, “Why didn’t you, you know, lock the door?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Percival’s voice was a low murmur, his face half-hidden in her hair. “I forgot...” They held each other for a long time, eventually unable to hold back their laughter.

Such awkward moments had becall too familiar to them.

The Boyd family.

Theodore’s eyes nearly popped out of his head as he read the message from the Frostfire Intelligence Agency.

It took him a moment to regain his composure. “Has the Specter Healer lost his mind? Charging five hundred billion for setting a bone and eight hundred billion for treating a back injury? Does he think money grows on trees?” Wendy had not expected such an astronomical demand either. Clearly, the Specter Healer was targeting the Boyd family’s wealth.

At full count, the Boyd family had 800 billion in liquid assets.

How would the Boyd family continue to operate if they handed it all over to the Specter Healer? But without treatment, Wendy faced a lifetin a wheelchair, with one hand rendered useless. That was not a life she was willing to accept.

Hayden was equally taken aback by the demand, at a loss for words.

Nancy was immediately incensed, “Eight hundred billion? Is he insane? Who spends that much on medical treatment? With that kind of money, you might as well...” The word “die” hung unsaid as they caught the icy glare of Wendy, silencing them instantly.