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.

the way back,

stopped them. What are the higher-ups thinking? If

any longer, snapped. "Husky, can

operation was bad enough without his

many times now? If nothing works, maybe we should just surrender, throw

have at least set up a perimeter,

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

massaged her temples. Now, even divine

back, responded

into a cold sweat, Leopold realized what

Vivienne!" He yelled

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

true cause of her

had called her mother, prompting her to choose

within the Vanguard Agency, a

But now...

led to her mother's failed mission, she would ensure the traitor learned that 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

chill. He turned, his face

sly smile playing on her lips, while

witnessing their expressions,

be slapped by Vivienne or kicked by Percival

as if the Grim Reaper was grinning at

with the pair, "I'm sorry, 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 for such dramatics. Just help me contact

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

workings from a

an

he stammered, "No way, I can't possibly call Griffin.