The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne slammed the phone down with a chilling finality that seemed to echo the icy resolve in her eyes.

Three minutes later, the realization hit both Vivienne and Percival simultaneously.

The bomb research facility was nestled right beneath Eastlake Bay Plaza, spreading its clandestine roots beneath half the square.

The scene suggested a hasty escape; the fleeing suspects only had snatched the crucial documents.

The operatives from the Nine Mystics Society had already evacuated, and Leopold, leading the first squad, had scoured the base thoroughly.

"Vivienne, Percival, check this out." Leopold approached, cradling a box in his arms.

Percival flipped the box open to reveal a scale model of a state-of-the-art bomb-obviously left behind in the chaos.

This only confirmed the suspicion that the perpetrators had received an urgent tip-off.

Otherwise, they never would have left something so vital behind.

Vivienne extracted the model, a one-to-one replica. While not as revealing as written documents, to the trained eye, it could divulge the bomb's design.

The bomb's most unnerving feature was its ability to evade detection-compact, portable, and easy to conceal.

Understanding how it slipped past sensors would be key to preemptive defense.

Vivienne tucked the model away. "I'm taking this."

Percival nodded. He had no intention of reporting a mere model to the higher-ups. He still had that much leverage.

Instead, Percival simply called Thomas, instructing him to report the escapees' flight, foregoing a return to headquarters.

back, Leopold was

a blockade sooner, I bet we could've stopped them. What are the higher-ups thinking? If they're worried about civilian safety, just make up an excuse to evacuate. A fire drill, earthquake drill-anything would've worked.

to stomach his ranting any

operation was bad enough

times now? If

outrage was not unwarranted-they could have at least set up a perimeter, avoiding

don't you climb the ranks already?" Leopold blurted out, his anger getting the better of him,

temples. Now, even divine intervention could not save

back, responded darkly,

Leopold realized what he had

Vivienne!" He

she had heard his desperate plea, Vivienne tugged at Percival's arm, the other hand on the bomb model, and said calmly, "Mr. Wolf, perhaps it's time for you to climb higher." Unexpected

true cause of her mother's

had called her mother, prompting her to

mole within the Vanguard Agency, a team her mother

But now...

neither prison nor the grave would be their ultimate sanctuary. Percival's brows arched subtly, understanding her intent. "Yes, I agree. You've worked hard

his face a portrait of dread. "I'm sorry,

a sly smile playing on her

their

be slapped by Vivienne or kicked by

Grim Reaper was

Vivienne, Percival. I'll do whatever you ask-climb mountains, swim oceans, even streak across Mount Everest!" Percival's fingertips tapped rhythmically on the leather seat. "There's no need

bright as ever. "I wouldn't dream of sending him to such extremes." Leopold gulped, "You two aren't thinking of her, are

person could deduce a bomb's workings from a model, someone trustworthy and an expert

Vivienne's silence was an answer

pale as he stammered, "No way, I