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.

uncovered a bit about

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

Vivienne,

wanted the Perez family to

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

believe for a second that it had happened without the involvement of the Vanguard Agency's

Lab was rebooting, it was only a matter

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, Percival

they needed

Perez family was the best

neither Vivienne nor Percival knew the full extent of the

trust in

a nod, and Yuri

successful partnership," Yuri said, returning the contract to

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 gift already. Change into these matching outfits, and

of Percival and Vivienne, she had to maintain her online

it had to go up

were getting

blinked in confusion. "Matching

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

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

camera was itching to start. "Get in position. I

looked on in bemusement, having never realized

series of couple photos where their

Vivienne and Percival's repeated

kind of madness

This was killing him!

supposed to explain this to the other

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

as well apologize with

the dinner party, Vivienne had seemingly made up for years'

Dawson was responsible for driving

continued to

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

the phrase 'ancient warrior lineage,' Dawson regained his