The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Leopold was buzzing with excitement.

The high-tech gadgets at Vanguard Agency weren't typically available for public use.

Guarded by a dedicated team, even the interrogation equipment was off-limits to field agents like him.

If it weren't for the recent crackdown by the War God within the agency, which had somewhat loosened the reins on such devices,

he wouldn't have had a chance to borrow it.

Vivienne commanded, “Scan her.”

With a tilt of her chin, she gestured toward Ramona. A playful smirk finally danced on her lips. “Ms. Grimshaw claims | shoved her.

She should have my fingerprints on her, right? Take a look for me, will you?”

“What are you doing to me?” Ramona's expression twisted in fear the moment she heard "fingerprint scanner.”

Luckily, she was looking down, hiding her face from the crowd.

But as Leopold strode over to her, she could no longer maintain her composure. “Don’t touch me! Please, someone, help! Keep

them away from me!”

Vivienne smiled thinly. “What are you afraid of? That they'll find others’ fingerprints on you but none of mine?”

Kala raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Vivienne, do you know something we don’t?”

How else could Leopold just happen to bring the scanner today?

Vivienne didn’t answer her immediately. Instead, she addressed everyone present. “Why not check your phones? Ms. Grimshaw

has been seen with a different man every night for months—from entertainment moguls to hotshot directors, all guests behind her

curtain.”

“That's slander!” Ramona burst forth, tears streaking her face. “Ms. Hawthorne, you may dislike me, but you can’t just toy with my

reputation like this!”

She had been standing close to Jackson, which had prevented Leopold from making his move.

Now, seizing her moment of vulnerability, Leopold stepped in front of her. With a ping, the scanner displayed all of Ramona’s

fingerprints.

“Let's see who's talking nonsense.” Leopold glanced at the readout, then handed the device to Percival. “Percival, hold this, will

you? If it breaks, | can’t report back, and War God will have my hide.”

Percival, his eyebrows arching in amusement, silently took the scanner.

Leopold pulled out his phone, which connected to the scanner via Bluetooth. The beauty of this advanced device was its ability to

save tsearching and matching data.

A simple swipe with the scanner, and it would immediately search for matches online.

As Leopold browsed the data, his gaze on Ramona grew increasingly bizarre. “Ms. Grimshaw, you've been quite busy today,

haven't you? The CEO of Fun Entertainment Co., a well-known director—hey, even the owner of a jewelry company...”

“Is it really that amazing?”

Kala knew Vanguard had snifty gear but had no idea it was this sophisticated. As she watched Ramona’s complexion sour, she

was certain Leopold was spot-on.

Unable to resist, she peered at the screen and saw a plethora of names, both familiar and not. She gasped, unbidden.

Good heavens!

So many people!

No wonder Leopold stopped reading—it was endless!

Meanwhile, prompted by Vivienne, everyone else began checking their phones.

Ramona’s nstood out at the top, the word "scandal" in bold, drawing every eye.

Gossip in the industry had its own rules—the fewer words, the bigger the story!

They clicked in with a mix of excitement and dread and were bombarded with photos and videos of Ramona entering hotels with

different men, emerging from dinner parties—the evidence was damning.

“Holy smokes! Now | get why Ramona shot to fso fast!”

“All these shots... it seems she’s had a steady stream of company these past few months!”

“Looks can be deceiving! Who knew such a pure-looking flower was actually a vixen?”

More and more disdainful and disgusted glances landed on Ramona.

It was like needles piercing her skin—painful and uncomfortable. She could guess what the photos online looked like, but she

hadn't done any of what they accused her of!

“Vivienne! There's a line you just don’t cross!” Her delicate hands clenched into fists, her voice squeezed through clenched teeth.

The sound of her knuckles cracking didn't escape Vivienne and Percival, whose eyes gleamed knowingly.

Vivienne, feeling a bit weary, leaned on Percival. “If you haven't done anything, prove it. But, from what | remember, your file said

your parents were just blue-collar workers. Not exactly the type to rub elbows with industry giants since childhood.”

“Hold it together. If you blow our cover, we're both done for!” Jackson scanned the online content at lightning speed, stepping in to

intercept Ramona before she could react. They hadn't infiltrated this circle just to stir up trouble with Vivienne.

His words were like a bucket of ice-cold water dumped on Ramona’s head, sobering her up instantly.

That woman's tactics were formidable! She shuddered openly at the thought.

No way!

She couldn't let Vivienne ruin their plans!

No matter what Vivienne released online today, she couldn't reveal her true identity!

Ramona bit down hard, tasting blood before her rage-clouded mind cleared slightly. “You've made your point, Vivienne. | won't

forget this!”

With that chilling statement, she shoved through the crowd. “Back off, everyone!”

“Quite the endurance, huh.”

Watching Ramona and her companion leave, Leopold sighed, a touch of disappointment in his voice.

Percival glanced at the gadget cradled in his arms, then nudged Leopold with his knee. "Here, take your stuff."

"Shoot!" Leopold seemed to remember something urgent, whirling around to grab the object. "I only borrowed it for an hour, and

time's almost up—I gotta dash! Vivienne, Percival, I'm outta here!"

Kala rolled her eyes and suggested Leopold take a hint—nobody cared if he left. The other two were too busy flirting to notice.

Vivienne wrapped her arms around Percival's, steering him in the opposite direction. "Mr. Wolf, did you make dinner reservations?

I'm starving. | feel like | could eat a whole cow!"

She hadn't had a bite since morning! And after that drawn-out spat with Ramona, her stomach was practically howling.

Percival knew her too well, ushering her into the car. "Don't worry, it's all set. Your favorite beef stew."

"You're the best, Mr. Wolf."

Yawning, Vivienne rested her head on Percival's shoulder. "| didn't expect Ramona to be so patient, though."

Percival patted her head gently. "The Grimshaws, always top of the ancient warrior lineage for years—they're not to be

underestimated."

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