The Million-Dollar Heart

Vivienne stepped out of the cabin, the last of the party-goers having trickled away into the night. The ocean breeze wrapped around her, a welcome silence after the evening's festivities. Before long, the thrumming of helicopter blades sliced through the calm. Percival leaned halfway out of the chopper, his hand outstretched, grinning, "Vivienne, time to head home." Back at the villa, it was not long before Thomas and Griffin returned from their outings.

Leopold's gaze was fixed on Thomas like a hawk on its prey. "I sent you to call the cops. How'd you end up bringing Griffin back with you?"

Thomas nonchalantly twisted open a bottle of soda, "Just gave her a lift on the way back. What's the big deal?"

"What way back? Don't act like you know Sea City better just because you've been here a few days longer. I lived here as a kid and even once stayed with the Martinez family. You were nowhere near on the way!"

Leopold's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp, demanding to know why Thomas returned with Griffin.

Thomas was itching to throw a punch. Why did lovebirds have to be so annoying?

On the other hand, Griffin was too absorbed in her work to engage with such trivialities. She could have a dozen Leopolds buzzing around her and not bat an eye. "Vivienne, I found it. It's from my latest batch of 'Morning Glory'. Only I have access to these bombs, each with a serial number. This one is from the new batch."

After securing the disassembled 'Morning Glory' from the yacht, Griffin had discreetly disembarked to investigate at the Martinez family's weapons research facility in Sea City.

The tests and serial number comparison confirmed it was indeed a 'Morning Glory' recently shipped to the Vanguard Agency headquarters.

Vivienne had her suspicions, but the brazenness of the traitor within - to use a bomb just delivered to the Vanguard Agency - was shocking. Were they so unafraid of exposure, or did Micah and Percival's control over the Rivenwood Vanguard Agency hit a nerve?

"Who authorized to receive these bombs?" Percival inquired.

Griffin pressed her lips together. "Vance Edwards, the second in command at the Sea City Vanguard Agency."

The name was not unfamiliar to Vivienne or Percival.

Vance, the deputy head of the Sea City Vanguard Agency, had been transferred from Rivenwood eight years prior. He remained elusive, always out on missions, until he secretly returned to Sea City to take the reins earlier this year.

The operation in the West District was under Vance's command as the chief of Sea City.

had

the husband of Melissa Brooks, and the patriarch of the Edwards family, known for his extensive business

not expected Vance to be part of the Vanguard Agency;

above Micah, and Percival did

name in the Vanguard Agency?"

know the name Vance. But I've heard rumors about him and Micah vying for a spot at headquarters. Apparently, Vance got there first thanks to family connections, and Micah's failed mission back then kept

had heard such

we

headquarters being the most strategic move. Otherwise, he would be confined to Rivenwood's limitations. Unfortunately, Micah did

staying under the radar for years, Vance reemerged as a commissioner, a testament

issued an Order of Nine Mystics Society, demanding every detail of Vance's life over

Glory' bombs from Griffin, and it was uncertain how many

with the new type of bomb on the

testament to the enemy's meticulous planning. "Griffin, here's the new bomb we secured from the scene. Take a

tech had been a thorn in her side. Now, with the bomb in hand and the chance to improve upon it, she was

her when Percival's voice

with the shipment before it docked?"

drive away, then slumped onto the couch with a sigh. "No, everything arrived on time. The ship's ID matched the records; the

mused, sprawled across Percival's lap, tearing open a bag of potato chips. "Looks like Patrick's been hung out to dry." Percival snagged

Vivienne asked, eyes on Percival. She thought for a moment,

tightened around her waist.

she mumbled, resting her chin against his chest, her eyes heavy

Percival scooped up Vivienne