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 smile. "Perhaps the Vanguard Agency does have

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

into Vivienne. "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.

eyes, and the casual indifference vanished, replaced by

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

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

a loner, not one to seek out friendships, so the term 'friend' applied to very

mother's stories, Vivienne had never

favorite protégé, Percival, was someone Vivienne had barely met in

Vance, invoking her mother's name, wanted to recruit her

Wishful thinking, indeed.

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

a hint of sincerity, piquing Vivienne's

so was I. We'd often butt heads, especially during a live exercise not long after she joined. Lark,

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 her this

Ashen Pigeon was Micah.

said, was to teach Vivienne that no

Karen replied that while protecting oneself was crucial, between

"I'd make sure never to get hurt if I were rescuing someone. I'd have the

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

was not until I went undercover that I finally understood. Your mother's

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255