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

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

froze, 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 one

"Karen's daughter," Vance said.

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

I believe, acquainted," Vivienne said calmly, her tone laced with an

she knew, when her mother was with the Vanguard Agency, her only real ally

to seek out friendships, so the term

mother's stories, Vivienne had never

protégé, Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in her childhood, barely remembering

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

Wishful thinking, indeed.

wine glass and leaned forward. "I was not exactly close

carried a hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne's interest to hear

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 assigned to

be harmed in any way. We

remembered her mother

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

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

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

hurt if I were rescuing someone. I'd have the

see the point in Lark's actions. I thought that if you can't guarantee your own life, how can you protect the

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

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