The Million-Dollar Heart

On the other side of town, nestled within a leafy suburb, Vivienne received a call from Rivenwood.

It was Griffin on the line.

"Vivienne, I've made another delivery of 'Morning Glory' to the Vanguard Agency just a few days ago. They've been dispatched already, but they went straight to HQ this time without going through Micah." Vivienne nodded in understanding. "How's the detector coming along?"

Griffin seemed to breathe a little easier. "The prototype's there, but we haven't been able to test it fully. After all, I've only managed to create a new type of bomb based on the model we have. We need to find the ones already planted by GTO to ensure it can actually detect them."

They had only found a model of the new bomb in Eastlake Bay. Though Griffin could replicate it, there was no certainty that it was identical to the ones GTO had developed.

Only an on-site test would prove that.

What they could test at the base was far from conclusive.

"Mmm," Vivienne murmured. "Having a prototype is better than nothing. Ideally, it should be a universal detector that can pick up your latest 'Morning Glory' creation."

"Don't worry, Vivienne, I've got this," Griffin reassured her, "The specifics of the 'Morning Glory' are already programmed into the detector model, and those tests have been successful."

Hearing Griffin's confidence, Vivienne felt a measure of relief. "Any other business at the base?"

Griffin picked up on her subtext, replying, "Nothing more. I've booked a flight, and we'll land in Sea City in three days."

"We?" Vivienne's interest was piqued.

Charlotte was busy with her studies and special training; she had no time to travel.

Griffin was not known for having many friends.

Yet, she was talking about coming to Sea City with "we"!

A bit embarrassed, Griffin's voice lowered on the other end. "It's that Husky. He wouldn't take no for an answer, claiming it was his boss' order to ensure the safety of the special agents. Spouted a whole list of reasons."

Vivienne chuckled, teasingly offering, "If you don't like him, you can always request someone else."

I... Vivienne, you're teasing me

Griffin's voice shifting shyly, Vivienne decided not to push further. "Alright, I'll pick you guys up in three days. Just

"And Anna."

phone to Anna, who sighed heavily and said, "Ms. Vivienne, I was

in three days." Vivienne smiled,

her, "Leopold's

in with

touched his nose thoughtfully. "Not exactly, but I'm on a

glanced sidelong at him.

short on people. I thought about calling Soren, but

at the kid, Leopold, getting initiative," Vivienne remarked. Then, her phone

shop in Sea City and gathered the men of the Nine Mystics Society.

with Frostfire Intelligence Agency, looking for the Specter Healer for bone-setting and a back injury. They're willing to pay any price.] Vivienne's eyebrow quirked at that.

same message, Percival stated flatly,

her hand, Vivienne's eyes glinted

her hand, and now you want to stitch it back on?

as I

twitched. "Of course I'm not! But who

for the bone-setting,

was indeed,

sending the message, Vivienne smiled at Percival and

Theodore, speaking on behalf of Wendy. They invited her, as the head of the Boyd family,

The host was Patrick.

Vivienne's expression turned contemplative.

lost her hand and already

old

"Mr. Wolf, do you think you'll be able to use the item Eliza

"Vivienne, if you keep looking at me like that,

shirt collar,

air charged with a palpable tension, like waves crashing against the rocks, an endless cycle of