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.

had previously uncovered a bit about it,

the Vanguard Agency. But for the Perez family,

was Vivienne, revealing even this

Vivienne affirmed. She wanted the Perez family to join the YQ Lab to ensure

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

it had happened without the involvement of the Vanguard Agency's

the YQ Lab was rebooting, it was only a matter of time

a hard place, with his immediate superior constantly trying to suppress him. If the higher-ups insisted on reintegrating the YQ Lab back into the Vanguard Agency,

the ranks, they needed to suppress all

family was the best

knew the full extent of the Perez family's power, it was enough to protect the

emphatically. Vivienne's willingness to sign this contract proved her trust in him and the Perez family—a gesture that

Yuri a nod, and

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

a gift?" Just as Vivienne was about to present her gift, Zelda smiled. "I've chosen the gift already. Change into these matching outfits, and let me snap a

Percival and Vivienne,

was first-hand material, and it had

fans were

blinked in

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

and Percival emerged to find Dawson ready

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

Percival looked on in bemusement, having never realized

series of couple photos where their faces

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

kind of madness was

This was killing him!

he supposed to explain this to the other

hug while he held the lighting! Leopold

as well apologize with your

had seemingly made up for years' worth of

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

way, Dawson continued to grumble under

did not even flinch at the question; instead, she queried, "Your family, the

warrior lineage,'