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

to the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family, it was a different department

here was Vivienne,

to join the YQ Lab to ensure its

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

did not believe for a second that it had happened without

only a matter

trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab back into

Percival could climb the ranks, they needed to suppress all uncertain factors

Perez family was the best

extent of the

emphatically. Vivienne's willingness to sign this contract proved her trust in him and the Perez

gave Yuri a nod, and Yuri signed his name

Yuri said,

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 her gift, Zelda smiled. "I've chosen the

Vivienne,

material, and it had to

fans were

blinked in

thrust the couple's outfits into Vivienne's hands and pushed

outfits Zelda had chosen, Vivienne and Percival emerged to find Dawson ready with the lighting, awaiting the entrance of the

to start. "Get in position.

bemusement, having never realized

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

holding the lighting equipment, Dawson watched Vivienne and Percival's repeated intimate poses in front

kind of

This was killing him!

was he supposed to explain this to the

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

might as well apologize with your

seemingly made

the others, Dawson

Dawson continued to

question; instead, she queried, "Your family, the Lynette family, they're

phrase 'ancient warrior lineage,'