The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

The phone connected almost instantly.

Percival’s voice cut through the line with a chill, “This is Deputy Director Percival of Rivenwood Vanguard Agency headquarters. My third squad leader, Leopold, is currently detained at a military prison and is set for trial tomorrow morning. I'm requesting a delay in the trial. Director Vance has unanswered questions. | repeat, postpone Leopold's trial. Director Vance has unanswered questions!” Without waiting for a response, Percival sharply ended the call and whipped out his tablet to connect with the Sea City main office.

If Leopold was still on the docket for trial tomorrow, Percival would not hesitate to storm the military prison himself.

The message was sent to the public channel, clear for all of Vanguard Agency to see.

Outrage rippled through the ranks.

Leopold was merely carrying out orders from the higher-ups, and now they wanted to let him take the fall? That was not going to fly.

If this was how things were going to be, who would lay their life on the line for Vanguard Agency? The collective anger forced the main office to reschedule Leopold's trial hastily and mute all agents on the public channel to prevent further uproar.

But the cat was out of the bag, and the situation was spiraling beyond control. Whether it was the main office or Vance himself, somebody had to give an explanation.

“Percival, is it worth risking your career over this?” Vance asked.

Percival’s face remained stoic as he pocketed his tablet. “I've never cared about my career,” he replied sharply.

He sank into a chair and pulled out his phone to text viviEe, updating her on Leopold's predicament.

Then, eyes fixed on Vance, he pressed on, “I've got plenty of time, Vance. Ready to spill the beans yet?” Vance, masking his discomfort, got up from the floor and took a seat on the couch. “Before | took this position, | was given a mission. My superiors wantedto secure the bioweapon research from the Martinez family to let Vanguard Agency develop it. With your years here, you should know that one of the two factions within the agency is linked to the ancient warrior lineage. Your ascension to deputy director is thanks to the support from the Perez family.

The other faction is the core of the Vanguard Agency itself. While complementary, their roles differ. Now, we're looking to merge the ancient warrior lineage with Vanguard Agency's core. Does that clear things up?” A scornful laugh escaped Percival. “Since when did Vanguard Agency turn into thieves?” Vance shrugged, clearly uncomfortable with the notion himself. “I know it's wrong, but orders are orders. We're just the executors. It’s the top brass who decides.” Percival adjusted his cufflink. “Which top brass? | want a meeting.” “You're not yet qualified,” Vance said bluntly. “This is beyond me. If you want to save Leopold, you'll have to deal with the ancient warrior lineage. I'm powerless here.” Percival narrowed his eyes. “Stealing Griffin's prototype bomb ‘Morning Glory’ that ended up on the market, and now this heist? You seem quite adept at these undertakings.” Vance was stunned for a moment. “I admit | took ‘Morning Glory’ from Griffin for this cause, but how did it end up on the market?” Percival’s suspicion deepened. Vance’s reaction did not seem feigned.

Was he unaware that ‘Morning Glory’ ended up aboard the Ashford family’s yacht? Vance’s expression grew tense. “Clarify your statement. Which market exactly did ‘Morning Glory’ end up? Is there a connection to GTO?” “Go ask your superiors. You're just the executor, right?” Percival shot back, dismissively exiting the office.

If Vance would not reveal the so-called top brass, Percival would find out himself.

The Perez Mansion.

Vivienne had just arrived.

Maddox and Yuri were sparring in the yard when they noticed her. Maddox grinned, “Hey, niece, cjudge for us. Loser takes out the trash tomorrow morning!” Jasper, who was watching from the sidelines, noticed Vivienne’s troubled expression. “Zelda, Diana, take Natalia and Yasmine inside.” Quick to pick up on the tension, Zelda scooped up Natalia, and Diana gently pulled Yasmine away.

Before leaving, Diana cast a worried glance back at Vivienne, concerned about her unexpected visit.

The yard fell silent as Maddox and Yuri’s playful bout cto an abrupt halt.

“Vivienne, what's the matter?” “Grandpa, it's my junior, Leopold. He's been accused of stealing bioweapon secrets from the Martinez family, and now he’s locked up in Sea City’s military prison. | could pull strings to get him out, but that’s not the way he’d want this handled. That's why I'm here, to ask for your help,” Vivienne said, her voice tinged with resolve.

She could act recklessly to save Leopold, but that was not what he would have wanted.

As his senior, she had to do everything in her power to help him within the bounds of honor.

Jasper’s brow furrowed with concern. “Kid, this is no trifling matter. How can you be so certain your junior is innocent?”Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Vivienne skimmed through the message Percival had sent her before handing it off to Jasper. “Percival’s confronted Vance. It’s all been orchestrated by him.” Jasper nodded in agreement. “Looks like Leopold’s been made the scapegoat.” Meanwhile, Maddox had been on the phone with the Vanguard Agency, gathering intel. After a brief conversation, he approached with an update. “Vivienne, your junior isn’t just a scapegoat. This whole mess doesn’t tie back to Percival’s headquarters at all. It’s Vance’s own doing. Someone inside the Agency gave Vance a ‘get out of jail free’ card, and it all seems to be a move against the ancient warrior lineage.” Vivienne paused, and then realization dawned. “Is Vance after the Martinez family secrets to crack open the ancient warrior lineage?” Maddox nodded. “Exactly. Vance, while always on undercover missions, never stopped digging into the ancient warrior lineage. He's intent on undermining their power base. And | have to say, his years of effort haven't been in vain. Right now, the higher-ups are scrutinizing the young Martinez girl to see if she conspired with Leopold.” No wonder Griffin had been detained. The Martinez family was trying to protect one of their own, avoiding a deeper investigation.

With Leopold on trial, everything could be pinned on him, letting everyone else off the hook.

Vivienne slammed her palm down, shattering the stone table in the courtyard. “Vance dares to throw my junior to the wolves. He's really asking for trouble!” Jasper understood Vivienne’s rage and signaled Yuri to bring sointment for her. “Kid, go do what you need to. I've got your junior’s back; he won't face any harm. I'll make sure he’s reinstated.” Vivienne nodded, her next move clear in her mind. She needed to uncover Vance’s true intentions and expose whoever was backing him with that ‘get out of jail free’ card.