The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne scrutinized the contract from top to bottom, each clause capable of sending shock waves through the business world if taken on its own.

The document stated that the Perez family would unconditionally provide all components and funding necessary for the development of a groundbreaking new explosive device. In return, Vivienne was only required to secure a location and manage security and insurance-the kind of overhead that would not cost her a dime.

The catch? The patent for the new explosive could not bear Vivienne's name.

But this term suited Vivienne just fine.

After all, the explosive device was Griffin's brainchild. She had simply come into possession of it by a twist of fate and, coincidentally, had the means to bring the project to fruition.

Without hesitation, Vivienne signed her name on the dotted line.

It marked the second time she had officially collaborated with the government.

"Grandpa, I agree to the terms here," Vivienne handed the contract to Jasper.

Jasper chuckled. "Kiddo, you don't want to ask around a bit more?"

"I trust you, Jasper. That's enough for me."

Vivienne had that kind of confidence; once she believed in someone, she trusted them completely.

Jasper felt a wave of relief and nodded in approval. "Alright, this old man won't let you down; rest assured."

Vivienne glanced at Percival, who, in turn, presented another contract.

"Jasper, Yuri, please take a look at this contract as well," Percival said, passing it over with both hands.

It was a gift from Percival and Vivienne to the Perez family.

Jasper's brows twitched, and Yuri was visibly stunned. "Vivienne, are you sure?"

Their surprise was not overblown; they simply had not expected Vivienne to be willing to offer up such an asset.

The contract was another win-win partnership, where the Perez family would not need to invest much effort or time into maintenance.

It pertained to the YQ Lab-a highly secretive venture of Vivienne's, with every project somehow linked to Karen.

previously uncovered a bit about it, but not in great

that Karen had ties to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family, it was a

here was Vivienne,

certain," Vivienne affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab to ensure its utmost

of the Vanguard Agency's special squad. However, her last mission

second that it had happened without the involvement

YQ Lab was rebooting, it was only a matter of time before word got back to the Vanguard Agency's

rock and a hard place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the

they needed

family was the

neither Vivienne nor Percival knew the full extent of the Perez family's power, it

this contract proved her trust

a nod, and Yuri signed his name

here's to a successful partnership," Yuri said, returning the

was concluded, Zelda seized her chance to speak up. "Vivienne, we haven't seen each other in so long. Don't you want to give me a gift?" Just as Vivienne was about to present

Vivienne,

material, and it had

were

in confusion.

here! You two, go change!" Zelda thrust the couple's outfits into Vivienne's hands and pushed the pair

outfits Zelda had chosen, Vivienne and Percival emerged to find Dawson ready with the

camera was itching to start. "Get in position. I won't photograph

Percival looked on in bemusement, having never realized Zelda had

under Zelda's repeated directions, they posed for a series of couple photos where their faces remained obscured

Vivienne and Percival's repeated intimate poses in

of madness

This was killing him!

to explain this to the other

watched Percival kiss Vivienne right in front of him but also had to repeatedly watch them cuddle and hug while he held the lighting! Leopold would say, "Heh, what

"You might as

Vivienne had seemingly made up for years' worth of

farewell to Jasper and the others, Dawson was responsible for driving Vivienne and

Dawson continued to grumble under

flinch at the question; instead, she queried,

warrior lineage,' Dawson regained