The conversation had taken a turn, and it was clear that light-hearted banter was off the table.

"Vance, let's cut to the chase." Vivienne bit into a strawberry, savoring the burst of sweet, succulent flavor.

Vance sipped his wine, his gaze shifting between Vivienne and Percival.

"Vivienne, what do you know about Percival here?" He asked, nodding subtly towards Percival.

Vivienne tilted her head, eyeing Percival from head to toe. "Inside out," she declared.

Percival nearly choked on his Chardonnay.

What on earth was she talking about?

Were they not here for a formal discussion?

Vance was clearly taken aback, not expecting such a forthright answer from Vivienne.

Nor had Vivienne expected to say it, but seeing Percival's stern and ascetic demeanor, she just could not help herself.

Not everyone could understand the world of someone who cared about looks like she did.

Vance regained his composure and chuckled. "Well then, you must be familiar with his work. I was wondering if you might be interested in joining him professionally?" Percival coughed, glancing at Vance.

Was he suggesting Vivienne join the Vanguard Agency?

Vivienne speared another strawberry with her fork, the juice coating her taste buds in satisfaction.

"Director Vance, are you sure you can afford to hire me?"

in an awkward spot. He flashed a forced smile. "Perhaps the Vanguard Agency

you even know who I am?" Vivienne leaned back on the sofa, her features alight with

and he straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. "Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I'm only interested in

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

name, a fierce glint flashed in Vivienne's eyes, and the casual

and you were not, I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her

mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real ally had been

to seek out friendships, so the term 'friend' applied to very

stories, Vivienne had never heard of anyone besides

her mother's favorite protégé, Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in

invoking her mother's name, wanted to recruit her into the

Wishful thinking, indeed.

forward. "I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the opposite, we

admission carried a hint of sincerity,

the agency. She was stubborn, and so was I. We'd often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I were

insisted the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued, but ultimately, Ashen Pigeon sided with her, and I backed down. Lark took a risk, got herself

remembered her mother telling her

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

Vivienne that

injured wasn't a compromise. Karen replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between one's safety and the hostage's, the hostage must come first-that was the creed

I'd have the enemy hand them over willingly.

young and hot-headed. I didn't see the point in Lark's

until I went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother's

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