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?"

He flashed a forced

I am?" Vivienne leaned back on the sofa,

and he straightened up, his eyes piercing into Vivienne. "Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons.

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

Vivienne's eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced by an incomprehensible

believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her

when her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real

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

mother's stories, Vivienne had never heard

Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in her

her mother's name, wanted to

Wishful thinking, indeed.

his wine glass and leaned forward. "I was not exactly close with Lark. Quite the opposite, we were

hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne's interest to hear

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 assigned

would not have it. She 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 injured, but managed to get the hostage

remembered her mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

purpose of sharing this story, Karen had said, was to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never compromise their principles

replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between one's safety and the hostage's, the hostage must come first-that was the creed

had confidently told her mother, "I'd make sure never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I'd have

the point in Lark's actions. I thought that if you can't guarantee your own

went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother's actions were what every operative

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