The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Dawn was barely breaking as Percival opened his eyes and reached for his phone to call Thomas.

Within minutes, Thomas arrived in his car and picked up the duo who had spent the night by the seaside.

“Where to, Percival?” Thomas did not ask why. He just did what he always did, taking care of what needed to be done.

Percival twirled a strand of Vivienne’s hair. “To the office.” Vivienne yawned. “I'm heading back to crash.” After dropping Vivienne off, Thomas drove to the company.

In the president's office, someone was already waiting in silence.

Percival opened the door and greeted, “Boss.” The man in the chair turned around, a custom-made cane in hand. “Long time, no see.” Percival’s lips curved into a half-smile as he ushered Micah to the couch and poured him a cup of coffee. “How have you been?” Micah did not ask much but casually chatted with Percival. “Pretty good, just eating and sleeping. I've been so lazy that | hardly want to get up and exercise. My legs are paying the price.” Percival chuckled, responding briefly before asking, “Who's Rover?” Micah’s hand paused, a shadow flickering in his eyes, “Why do you ask?” “Just curious,” Percival replied nonchalantly.

Micah hesitated for a moment before setting down his coffee cup, “Percival, | know you don’t trust anyone in the agency right now, but | can assure you, Rover is solid. fgyomeone | deeply respect, as did your mentor Lark and Vance, too.” Percival frowned subtly.

Such high praise from Micah meant Vance had not lied.

Rover was a deep well.

“Who is he?” Percival pressed.

Micah rubbed his injured leg. “Two people saved my life; one was your mentor, Lark, and the other was Rover.

They draggedoff the battlefield and saved my life and my leg. But Rover is a top-secret agency asset.

Beyond the code name, that’s all | can tell you.” This was a realm within the Vanguard Agency that even Percival could not access.

Percival did not push further. He would eventually find out who Rover really was.

He smiled, his demeanor changing in an instant. “When will you be returning to service? | left a gift for you in the deputy’s office.” Micah snorted with laughter. “What could you possibly have for me, you rascal?” “I'm the chairman of the Ellington Group.” Percival smiled, continuing their casual conversation.

The last tthey had chatted so freely was when Percival had first enlisted.

After a while, their conversation cto an end. Micah stood up, leaning on his cane. “Alright, I'm heading back to work today. Retirement will have to wait a few more years!” “Congratulations,” Percival said as he saw Micah out.

Micah shook his head, not letting Percival walk him out any further than the office door. He took a long, deep look at Percival.

“Percival, from now on, you'll be fighting alone. The road ahead is perilous. Take care.” Percival nodded firmly, remembering Micah’s words when he had joined the team—From now on, we fight together. No matter how perilous the road ahead is, I'm with you! The days of fighting side by side were gone.

Micah patted Percival’s shoulder. “When you have time, go see Yorick Linklater. He was the one who pushed for your promotion. Now that you're parting ways with the agency, you should visit him.” “Understood.” Percival respected Micah’s decision and did not follow him out. He stood in the office, watching Micah take the elevator down until the doors closed.

Once alone, Percival sat back in his chair, took out his phone, and called Vivienne.

“Hey, Mr. Wolf...” Vivienne’s sleepy voice cthrough the phone.

“Still not up?” “Mmm, a bit groggy, but if you're offering to treatto a beef stew, I'll wake right up.” Percival laughed heartily, “Beef stew, lamb stew, anything you say. But before that, | think you'll be more interested in this.” Vivienne paused, and then the sound of rustling cfrom the other end, “What's up?” “The Linklater family!” Percival’s eyes sparkled.

Vivienne sat up with a jolt.

The Linklater family! Vesper! She knew all too well that the nVesper Linklater was just a stage nher mother had concocted on a whim.

Names like Evelyn or Hannah were all picked at random to make her way through the world more conveniently.

But Karen would never choose a surnassociated with high status or power in Rivenwood. Such associations could lead to suspicion and trouble, which Karen always carefully avoided.

Yet this time, she had casually uttered Vesper Linklater.

Everyone knew the significance of that surnin Rivenwood.

The Linklater family was not a commercial dynasty like the Ellingtons nor an ancient warrior lineage like the Perezes.

The Linklaters had been a distinguished military family since timmemorial, their history rich with honor and prestige. As years turned into centuries, they adopted an increasingly understated approach to their public presence. So much so that when the Four Prominent Families of Rivenwood were listed, few remembered to include the Linklaters.

Yet, whenever a Linklater stepped into the light, they captured the attention of all.

What the Linklaters were up to remained a mystery to the outside world, but the respect they commanded was unmatched.Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates...

Karen, of all people, had to be aware of the Linklater’s unique standing.

Her casual mention of them was telling; the Linklaters must hold a special place for her.

“Do you know someone from the Linklater family?” Vivienne asked while slipping into a fresh set of clothes.

Percival nodded. “Yorick Linklater. He is a man | deeply admire; he was the Director of the Vanguard Agency two generations ago.” Vivienne paused, the pieces falling into place. She recalled Karen speaking of an esteemed elder with a military background, though he had since retired and was not easily accessible.

Could Karen's mention of that surnbe linked to this man? But with the Linklater’s influence so vast, would Karen not be bothered? “Let’s go!” Vivienne zipped up her jacket. For sunknown reason, she was extremely curious about the Linklaters.

“Alright, I'll pick you up,” Percival confirmed.

Soon, Vivienne was settled in Percival’s car, chuckling at the man in the driver's seat, “Mr. Wolf, you're slumming it with us mortals? You've been behind the wheel more often these days.” Percival shot Vivienne a glance, amusement mixed with annoyance. “Thomas is tied up.” As the current head of the squad and covertly serving as an assistant to the chairman of the Ellington Group, Thomas had his hands full.

The tense climate within the Vanguard Agency left him no tfor chauffeuring.

Before long, Percival turned into the drive of a secluded manor, the entrance guarded by two uniformed individuals.

“Good evening. Identification, please,” one of the guards addressed Percival with professional coolness.