The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Vance exhaled slowly. “Vivienne, you two should know that in the annals of ancient warrior lineages, there are ssecrets. Nothing is impossible. The world is always full of things that turn our understanding on its head.

It’s not unscientific; it's just beyond the current reach of human knowledge.” Listening to Vance’s sermon, Vivienne could not help but chuckle.

What was the point of stating common knowledge? What was Vance really after? Why would the head of Vanguard Agency be delving into the secrets of ancient warrior lineages? “If you want to collaborate with me, showyou mean business,” Vivienne said, leaning back in her chair with an amused expression as she watched Vance.

Vance folded his arms, his fists clenched with a hint of nervousness. After a moment of thought, he decided to lay all his cards on the table.

“There is... a connection betweenand the ancient warrior lineage,” Vance confessed, locking eyes with Vivienne. “It’s like when the Perez family married with the Lynette family. A member of the Edwards family, who happened to be my auntie, married into an ancient warrior lineage, which has a tie to the Sheldon family massacre that cannot be ignored.” Vance continued, “After the Sheldons disappeared, the Edwards family got a slice of luck, which paved the way for their current stature. But my family has never had peace; it is always plagued by disturbances. | believe it has a lot to do with Ulysses.” “Isn't Ulysses missing? How is he involved?” Vivienne inquired.

“The truth is, Ulysses was not hwhen the Sheldon family met their fate. His trace was never found, hence the assumption of his disappearance. I've approached Frostfire Intelligence Agency to investigate Ulysses’ whereabouts. | don’t believe he’s dead.” [x] Vivienne’s gaze sharpened with a dangerous glint, “Vance, this is a personal request, not from Vanguard Agency, right?” Vance nodded. “Yes, this is my personal matter. The cost is no object; the reward will be substantial if you find him.” Vivienne eyed Vance intently, then said, “Alright, I'll take it.” After leaving Vanguard Agency, Percival glanced at Vivienne, “Don’t you suspect Vance was the one behind the pursuit of Finnian?” Finnian had been dodging the ancient warrior lineage for years. With Vance’s high rank within Vanguard Agency, it would be easy to locate someone, especially with his ties to the lineage.

It was entirely possible that Vance had ordered the hit on Finnian.

Vivienne nodded. “Of course, | suspect. But | also suspect Vance has other motives.” Percival grunted. “Indeed, he’s up to something else.” Finnian’s only friend was Vivienne’s mother, Karen! The connections were hard to ignore.

Finnian had been ‘dead’ for years. Why was Vance suddenly keen on finding him? And he had approached Vivienne, too. The series of strange behaviors was undoubtedly suspicious.

Percival steered the car, “You've got a point. Where to next? Fancy sbarbecue?” There was a new grill house in town with rave reviews, and Percival had been itching to take Vivienne there.

Vivienne pulled out her phone and dialed Finnian’s number, “Finnian, how about barbecue on me? You coming?” Finnian would surely show up.

His favorite dish was brisket! Percival’s lips curved into a slight smile; Vivienne was setting another trap for Finnian.

Soon, the tconverged at the barbecue restaurant.

“You little rascal, what's gotten into you to treatto barbecue? Got another nasty trick up your sleeve?” Finnian knew his apprentice too well; she would not invite him to a meal out of sheer kindness.

Vivienne placed the brisket on the grill. “Ulysses Sheldon, do you know Vance?” Finnian, who had not heard his full nin ages, was taken aback.

It took him a moment to remember that was his name.

“Watch your mouth, girl, and callMaster!” Finnian rapped Vivienne’s tongs with his fork, channeling a bit of energy into the strike that numbed her hands and feet.

But Vivienne did not let go. “Answer me, do you know Vance?” Finnian pressed his lips together. For the sake of the brisket, he endured! “I don’t know any Vance, but | knew his grandfather. The Edwards are nothing but lackeys. Now, will you let it go before you burn it!” Only then did Vivienne release her grip, and Finnian hastily snatched the brisket away, fearing she might change her mind.

“Today, Vance ctowith all the files on the Sheldon family’s disappearance,” Vivienne said casually.

Finnian paused, his devouring of the brisket slowing.

Percival silently passed him a glass of carrot juice, specially ordered by Vivienne.

Finnian had a quirk that always puzzled his friends; whenever he felt a whirlwind of emotions or the weight of the world on his shoulders, he would reach for a glass of carrot juice.

“It's my vitamin boost,” he would say with a wink.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Back when Finnian had faked his death, he was so close to munching on carrots straight from the garden patch.

He wolfed down his brisket with gusto and then grabbed the glass of carrot juice from Percival, gulping it down in one.

“What does he want from me? A fortune telling?” Finnian’s attempts to play it cool did not escape Vivienne’s notice. She understood the pain it masked. His whole family had vanished overnight as if they had been erased from the world, and Finnian was only twenty at the time. How could someone so young deal with that? Meanwhile, the perpetrators lived freely, thriving more than ever, with even distant relatives becoming magnates in Rivenwood.

And the Sheldons? Forgotten by all.

Vivienne served up another slice of brisket. “Finnian, | want to hear what really happened back then. | need to know how to proceed. And Vance - there's something off about him. | suspect he might have been the one behind my mother’s suicide.” Finnian pressed his lips together. “Didn’t you talk to Maddox about this the other day? Didn't he mention anything about my past?” “That's exactly why | want to know more,” Vivienne said, her gaze firm.

Finnian heaved a sigh. “I knew you would not let it go, but honestly, | don’t know what truly happened back then.” He savored the last bite of his brisket, then set down his fork. “When the tragedy struck, | wasn’t home. All | know is that my father received a commission. Several high-ranking heads of ancient warrior lineages sought his counsel to predict the future of their respective families - something to put their minds at ease.

It was a common request, as our family was known for such services. The more prosperous the family, the more they believed in our predictions. So, my father accepted the commission.

But that fortune-telling session... it did not bode well. My father foresaw a calamity that would befall the ancient warrior lineage. If things continued as they were, it could bring ruin and tarnish the legacy of their descendants.

He told them the truth and offered his advice, hoping they would take heed and step out of their insular world.”