The Million-Dollar Heart

Micah scrutinized each document that Percival had brought in. It was all there: the irrefutable evidence that exonerated Vivienne, Fiona's confession to setting her up, and Calista's damning testimony on how she had stolen Vivienne's fingerprints and plotted a murder in the OR.

Without a doubt, Vivienne was innocent.

With an indifferent curl of his slightly chapped lips, Micah returned the papers to Percival. "Good job," he said, the understatement hanging between them like a silent applause.

Percival locked eyes with Micah, his mentor at the Vanguard Agency, second only to Karen in authority. A crooked smile formed on his lips. "I think so too. I did do a damn good job!"

Their gaze held for a heavy moment, neither man breaking the silence.

The air grew thick with tension.

Leopold, Thomas, and Soren, who was standing off to the side, all watched Micah intently. They knew Micah had been obstructing their every move, sidelining the Vanguard Agency, and keeping everyone out of the loop everyone except Soren, whom he had left in the dark about the true purpose of their mission.

Those who made it into the Vanguard Agency were no fools; Micah's actions were purposeful. But the question that hung over them was why he targeted Vivienne and Percival. Was it a personal vendetta, or were there strings being pulled from behind the scenes?

After what seemed an eternity, Micah finally broke into a grin. "Well, the higher-ups have spoken. Vivienne is free to go."

He paused before adding, "But let's be clear, she might not be so lucky next time. If she's tangled up with CK, I won't look the other way, not even for you."

Percival chuckled. "There won't be a next time. If Vivienne ever breaks the law, you won't need to get involved. I'll bring her in myself, Micah."

How he would 'bring her in' was another matter entirely.

Micah's eyes narrowed, his voice chilling. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

In the past, Percival would have addressed him as 'boss,' but now, not even that courtesy was extended. The kid had grown up, out of his control.

Adjusting his goggles, Percival did not linger. Instead, he waved to his brothers-in-arms. "Wrap it up. Micah's buying dinner tonight."

of the special squad, Percival's word was law. The team responded enthusiastically, though a few still looked to Micah for confirmation. After a moment of silence, Micah's face became an impassive mask.

erupted from the crowd, but everyone knew the Vanguard Agency of Rivenwood

for headquarters, while Soren stayed behind with the

though he did not like Vivienne, he would never treat her as

Vivienne, he, too, was shocked. But as the captain of Vanguard Agency's third special squad, he could not back down even if the target had been his mother. Percival

lip, unsure of what

his injuries healed. If he were to

few seconds of silence, Soren led his squad out, pausing

snapped a salute.

a lingering look as if to say, "Now you remember who's your captain, after that earlier

squad gone, Vivienne and

Anna was still puzzled. How had Percival become

about that, she asked the question

top brass. It was against protocol, but someone big vouched for him, saying he may be young, but his record and education are top-notch. Without a promotion, they'd risk demoralizing the front

grasped a key question.

and Vivienne shared a knowing glance and a smile but

paused, then asked, "Yeah, who was it? They've got some serious

wonder about the benefactor. Now, thanks to Anna's question, he realized the significance

ranks, any further

transferred to have a chance at

Percival had been promoted to

he could barely keep driving. The mystery of the benefactor

slapped the

the pie, for sure. But

their inside help, Percival managed to get the news

even more evident that the traitor was among the

Sky, and