The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vivienne stepped out of the cabin, the last of the party-goers having trickled away into the night. The ocean breeze wrapped around her, a welcsilence after the evening's festivities.

Before long, the thrumming of helicopter blades sliced through the calm. Percival leaned halfway out of the chopper, his hand outstretched, grinning, “Vivienne, tto head home.” Back at the villa, it was not long before Thomas and Griffin returned from their outings.

Leopold's gaze was fixed on Thomas like a hawk on its prey. “I sent you to call the cops. How'd you end up bringing Griffin back with you?” Thomas nonchalantly twisted open a bottle of soda, “Just gave her a lift on the way back. What's the big deal?” “What way back? Don’t act like you know Sea City better just because you've been here a few days longer. | lived here as a kid and even once stayed with the Martinez family. You were nowhere near on the way!” Leopold's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp, demanding to know why Thomas returned with Griffin.

Thomas was itching to throw a punch. Why did lovebirds have to be so annoying? On the other hand, Griffin was too absorbed in her work to engage with such trivialities. She could have a dozen Leopolds buzzing around her and not bat an eye.

“Vivienne, | found it. It's from my latest batch of ‘Morning Glory’. Only | have access to these bombs, each with a serial number. This one is from the new batch.” After securing the disassembled ‘Morning Glory’ from the yacht, Griffin had discreetly disembarked to investigate at the Martinez family’s weapons research facility in Sea City.

The tests and serial number comparison confirmed it was indeed a ‘Morning Glory’ recently shipped to the Vanguard Agency headquarters.

Vivienne had her suspicions, but the brazenness of the i x within - to use a bomb just delivered to the Vanguard Agency - was shocking. Were they so unafraid of exposure, or did Micah and Percival’s control over the Rivenwood Vanguard Agency hit a nerve? “Who authorized to receive these bombs?” Percival inquired.

Griffin pressed her lips together. “Vance Edwards, the second in command at the Sea City Vanguard Agency.” The nwas not unfamiliar to Vivienne or Percival.

Vance, the deputy head of the Sea City Vanguard Agency, had been transferred from Rivenwood eight years prior. He remained elusive, always out on missions, until he secretly returned to Sea City to take the reins earlier this year.

The operation in the West District was under Vance’s command as the chief of Sea City.

Moreover, he had an intriguing identity.

He was the father of Darren and Ashley Edwards, the husband of Melissa Brooks, and the patriarch of the Edwards family, known for his extensive business travels.

Vivienne had not expected Vance to be part of the Vanguard Agency; clearly, neither had Percival.

Vance ranked several levels above Micah, and Percival did not have the clearance to investigate further.

“What's Vance’s code nin the Vanguard Agency?” Vivienne asked.

Griffin shook her head. “I don’t know that. If not for needing a direct superior’s signature, | would not even know the nVance. But I've heard rumors about him and Micah vying for a spot at headquarters. Apparently, Vance got there first thanks to family connections, and Micah’s failed mission back then kept him in Rivenwood.” Percival had heard such rumors, too.

“Boss did want to move up, but at the time, we did not know who we were up against,” he confirmed.

The failed mission and Karen's disappearance had driven Micah to climb the ranks, with the headquarters being the most strategic move. Otherwise, he would be confined to Rivenwood'’s limitations.

Unfortunately, Micah did not make it.

After securing a spot at headquarters and staying under the radar for years, Vance reemerged as a commissioner, a testament to his impressive record.

Vivienne issued an Order of Nine Mystics Society, demanding every detail of Vance’s life over the years, down to his waking hours.

Vance had requested an alarming number of ‘Morning Glory’ bombs from Griffin, and it was uncertain how many were still unaccounted for. They had to act fast to avert danger.

And then there was today’s incident with the new type of bomb on the yacht.

Vivienne had her people stationed around the yacht, yet someone had managed to sneak both the ‘Morning Glory’ and the new bomb onboard—a testament to the enemy’s meticulous planning.

“Griffin, here's the new bomb we secured from the scene. Take a look,” Vivienne said, handing over the device.

Griffin was more than eager to delve into it. The theft of her designs and the subsequent struggle to understand the stolen tech had been a thorn in her side. Now, with the bomb in hand and the chance to improve upon it, she was positively giddy as she felt with the bomb.

Leopold was about to follow her when Percival’s voice stopped him.

“Any trouble with the shipment before it docked?” Percival asked.

Leopold watched Griffin drive away, then slumped onto the couch with a sigh. “No, everything arrived on time.

The ship’s ID matched the records; the dockworkers all confirmed it.” “That means the goods were swapped out before they even loaded up,” Vivienne mused, sprawled across Percival’s lap, tearing open a bag of potato chips. “Looks like Patrick’s been hung out to dry.” Percival snagged a chip from Vivienne’s hand with his mouth. “Not necessarily. Could be a stalling tactic.” “Any word from Quincy?” Vivienne asked, eyes on Percival. She thought for a moment, then finished the half- eaten chip he left.

Percival’s fingers tightened around her waist. “Nothing yet. We have to wait.” “Let’s just go to bed, then. I'm beat,” she mumbled, resting her chin against his chest, her eyes heavy with sleep.

Without another word, Percival scooped up Vivienne and carried her to the bedroom.

Back in the living room, three baffled faces remained.

Leopold scratched his head. “Wait, aren't we supposed to have a meeting?” Thomas was speechless. He thought to himself that lovebirds really could be annoying.

But, of course, that was just an inner monologue.

Anna stood up, grabbing her backpack. “I'm off to bed too. Big day tomorrow.” Thomas followed suit, but Leopold grabbed him. “Hold on. About earlier, what way back?” The villa was quiet that night, except for Thomas, who was a bit restless.

At the Boyd mansion, Yannick was slowly coming to.

“That damn Percival, I'll make him pay for hitting me! And Gillian, that little slut, scheming against me!” “You had it coming, letting your lower half do the thinking,” Mara retorted, her face swollen from the beating, her anger now directed at Yannick.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Teresa naturally defended her son. “I haven't even started on you, and you're throwing a fit. You're lucky you weren't killed today!” “Try hitting her again, | dare you!” Nancy shouted back.

Wendy, now without the use of her hands and confined to a wheelchair, was furious. The constant bickering of her daughters-in-law was driving her to the brink.

“I told you to find the Specter Healer, and what have you done? A bunch of incompetents,” Wendy scolded them each in turn.

Once the air had cleared a bit, she asked, “How's the 800 billion coming along?” Both daughters-in-law, previously at each other's throats, were now in agreement. “Mom, it's not like it's 800 dollars; it’s not that easy to cby.” “Exactly, Hayden's still out there working on it. Don’t worry, we're on it.” Wendy could tell by their expressions that it was a lost cause and dropped the matter. She had lived long enough to have her ways of handling things.