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

back on the sofa, her features

"Specter Healer, an identity of great interest to my upper echelons. But I'm only interested in one thing." Vivienne did not respond, her gaze

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

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

Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an

she knew, when her mother was with

to seek out friendships, so the

stories, Vivienne had

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

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

Wishful thinking, indeed.

wine glass and leaned forward. "I was

sincerity, piquing Vivienne's

was I. We'd often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark, Ashen Pigeon, and I were assigned to the same squad,

not leave room for the hostage to be extracted unharmed. I was ready to use a tranquilizer gun, but Lark would not have it. She insisted the hostage not be harmed in any way. We argued, but ultimately, Ashen Pigeon sided with her,

her mother telling

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

to teach Vivienne that no matter what, one should never compromise their principles to

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 of a Vanguard

never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I'd have the enemy hand them over

Vance rubbed his cheek. "Back then, I was young and hot-headed. I didn't see the point in

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

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