She glanced at Soren's retreating figure, knowing full well her recent tie in combat was just a stroke of luck.
Soren was still nursing an old injury, not yet back in top form.
Percival approached with the detached professionalism of a captain, addressing Anna, "A month from now will be the final assessment. Pass that, and I'll arrange for you to start interning in the lab while carrying out missions."
Anna saluted smartly. "Yes, sir. I won't let you or Vivienne down."
Vivienne watched her with a hint of amusement. The girl was a quick study.
While Leopold drove Vivienne and Percival back to their estate, Anna was left at the Vanguard Agency's training camp to hone her skills.
On the way, Leopold queried, "Vivienne, do you think Anna's got what it takes? The Agency's training isn't for the faint of heart."
Despite Anna's draw with Soren, he was worried.
"If you made it through, she will too," Vivienne replied nonchalantly, leaning on Percival's shoulder.
Percival nodded in agreement, "Right, makes sense."
Leopold glanced in the rear-view mirror, catching the couple's affectionate display, and asked belatedly, "Hang on. What do you mean 'if I made it through'? I'm way better than Anna, okay?" Vivienne lifted her gaze lazily, "She's nineteen. How old are you?"
Leopold fell silent.
Alright, he asked for it. He should just shut up!
With a snap, he pulled down the visor.
Out of sight, out of mind, right?
A month later.
and TCL labs had merged,
lab first, taking in the
just like the one her
had spent the past month meticulously
see her mother working
path her mother
Holden emerged from within, followed by
been orienting his team to the lab's environment and its
acknowledgment, her eyes catching an
"We've been trying to replicate that 3D biological
month of operation, Holden and his
numbers are correct, but you've got the direction mixed up.
lit up. They had been stuck for a month, but Vivienne had seen
Admiration was an understatement.
expertise, they
asked, "Who's handling the
his nails clean, and he wore silver-rimmed glasses with a naive
up, feeling an odd
young man's capabilities, Holden quickly added, “Ma'am, his name is Rex. He's a recent hire. Young, yes, but a
report. Each
nodded, impressed
the director once I've figured them out," Rex said, marking a question
looked at it and scribbled a series of numbers. "Try
the numbers for a moment, his eyes brightening. "Yes, this
"How long have you been
morning," Rex replied casually, clutching the report as he headed to his
he's utterly devoted to
bothered. However, Rex's dedication reminded her of
spoke, Percival entered,
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